The Battle of Chelsea, 
27 May, 1775. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap.L/to&pyright Ko..___ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



REGISTER 



Oh £uffo{& Copter 



Soxs of mi-: American Revolution 



1900 



•£lic Ol'b £oUm of Cbtfeca" 



\. 1\M ERE \N1> WlXTHRI -1 



PRINTED FOR THE CHARIER 



Ipubltcation Committee, 



EDWIN SANFOKD CRANDON, WALTER KENDALL WATK1NS, 

FRED ARNOLD JENKS, JOHN HOWLAND CRANDON, 

PRESCOT1 I HAMBERLAIN. 



Library of Congress! 

Two Copies Rsceived j 
FEB 23 1901 

*j Copyright miry 
JM,. /2., Kfcf 

NoX.^5-.. 3.^4^.0. 
SECOND COPY 



PRESS (II WA1 1 Ai E 5PI ION] I , 

NO. 17 I'ROVINl E STREET, 

BO 1 ■ IN, MASSACHUSETTS. 












Edition limited to two hundred copies. 

' >l \ Kit. HI , I9OI. 



CONTENTS 



Page 

Introductory .......... v 

Organization of the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the 

American Revolution, 1900-1901 ..... vii 

Charter of Old Suffolk Chapter, Sons of the American 

Revolution ......... ix 

By-Laws of Old Suffolk Chapter 10 

Organization of Old Suffolk Chapter, 1 900-1 901 . . 13 

Officers of Old Suffolk Chapter from the Beginning . 14 

Members of Old Suffolk Chapter ..... 15 

Necrology 18 

Record of Meetings, Papers and Essayists .... 19 

The Battle of Chelsea; Historical Address — Hon. Albert 

D. Bosson 21 

Appendix ; Notes and Memoranda on the Battle of 27 May, 

'775 35 

Notes on the Illustrations ....... 61 

Register of Members and Their Ancestors' Services in the 

American Revolution 67 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Chelsea in 1848 



Page 
Frontispiece 



Prescott Chamberlain, First President of Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, S. A. R 

Edwin S. Crandon, Second President of Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, S. A. R 

General Israel Putnam ........ 

Contemporary Map of the Scene of the Battle of 27 May, 
1775 



Chelsea Historical Tablets ..... 

An Estimate of Damages of John Tewksbury of Pullin 
Point, 1775 

John Tewksbury's Pass through the American Lines 

The Tewksbury, Bill and Deane Winthrop Houses 

The Old Chelsea Meeting-House .... 

The Newdigate-Yeamans House .... 

The Cary-Bellingham House ..... 

The Pratt House ....... 



27 

34 

52 
52 
54 
56 
56 
60 
60 



(The illustrations of the Newdigate, Pratt, Cary, Tewksbury, Bill and Win- 
throp houses are from photographs by William H. Halliday, Boston ; the Chelsea 
Historical Tablets are reproduced by courtesy of the Chelsea Gazelle.) 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The earliest organization in the Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution was in 1875 : the Massachusetts Society was organized 19 
April, 1S89. At this date, January, 1911, the members number approxi- 
mately 12,500 in the United Mites, Massachusetts having the largest State 
Society with about 1 800 members. The object of the Society is the perpet- 
uation of the names and the deeds and principles of the Founders of our 
National Life ; its activities cover the marking of graves of Patriots of the 
Revolution, placing upon permanent record the names and achievements 
of the Heroes of the War for Independence, preservation of historical 
buildings, appropriate marking of historical places, and the preservation 
and publication of documents and literature bearing upon the great strug- 
gle — in brief, the Society seeks to work for a true conception of Ameri- 
canism in grateful remembrance of the Fathers of our Nation. Member- 
ship is obtained in right ot lineal descent from a participant in the 
establishing of Amerii an Independence, and all such Americans of legal 
age and good character are welcome. 

. ter was granted by the Massachusetts Society 3 February, 1S97. 

rs. Prescott Chamberlain, Fugene F. Endicott, Walter K. Wat- 
kins, Charles Leeds. Seth J. Littlefield, George M. Stearns, Thomas W. 
Green, Alfonso S. Harris and two others, empowering them to organize 
a Chapter, the By-Laws of the State Society providing that ten or more 
members thereof in a given locality may form such subordinate or local 
Chapter on due authorization from the Board of Managers of the State 
Society. The first meeting of the Charter Members was held 23 Feb- 
ruary, 1897 ; other preliminary meetings followed monthly, and the 
first annual meeting was held 27 May, 1897, the anniversary of the Battle 
of Chelsea in 1775, the Chapter wishing to mark that date as of special 
importance in Chelsea Revolutionary history. At the formal organiza- 
tion 27 May, 1897, there were seventeen members, but one of the Charter 
applicants never took membership, and practically the Chapter started 
with sixteen members. Since then fifty-three new members have been 
added ; there have been three deaths, two resignations and two suspen- 



vi ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 

sions, leaving the membership January, 1901, sixty-two, of which two are 
Honorary, one of the Honorary members, however, being one of the 
most active in the Chapter's work and the only member who has not 
missed a meeting since the Chapter began its work in February, 1897 — 
Mr. Walter K. Watkins, the Chapter Historian. 

The Chapter has held monthly meetings, most of them at the homes 
of Members, as the social feature always has proved most enjoyable. 
Historical papers, addresses, essays and talks have been provided at these 
meetings ; the Colonial, Revolutionary and later history of Chelsea, 
including Revere and Winthrop, has been given at length ; members 
have contributed papers on the Colonial and Revolutionary history of 
their native Towns, as well as on other subjects of an historical nature ; 
members of other Chapters and other guests have given valuable and 
interesting essays and addresses; several " smoke-talks " have given vari- 
ety to the enjoyment of the meetings, and the 27th of May in each year 
has been celebrated by a Chapter " Ladies' Night " of a semi-public 
nature, with appropriate exercises and addresses bearing upon the event 
thus commemorated. The Chapter early in its existence took an active 
interest in the marking of historic places in Chelsea by appropriate bronze 
tablets, and also located and marked the graves of Chelsea Revolutionary 
soldiers in the old grave-yard at Revere. The Chapter has invited the 
attendance at its meetings of our citizens interested in historical work or 
in the subjects of the papers, with great freedom, and the average attend- 
ance of guests easily balances that of members. The Chapter endeavors 
to stand in the Community for a deeper realization of our honored Past 
as an inspiration to better appreciation of the duties of American citizen- 
ship to-day. 




ORGANIZATION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 

1 900- 1 901. 

[Officers elected at the Annual Meeting, 19 April, /goo.] 



iSrcsiBnit, 
FRANCIS HENRY APPLETON, h 

Tier JDustBcnts. 
NATHAN APPLJ K>\. Boston, FRANCIS HENRV BROWN, Boston. 
CHARLES ELISHA ADAMS, Lowell. 

Stnctatg, 
CHARLES EPHRAIM STEARNS, Waltham. 

Krgistrar, 
HERBERT WOOD KIMBALL, Boston. 

JTrtasurrr, 
CHARLES MONTRAVILLE GREEN, Boston. 

historian. 
CHARLES KIMBA1 i. DARLING, Boston. 

Chaplain, 
Rev. CARLTON \i Bl RT STAP] 1 row. 



flDassaclmsetts Society. 

Boats of fWanagcis, 

GORHAM DUMMER GILMAN, Newton. 
FRANCIS HENRY LINCOLN, Hingham. 
SAMUEL HOPKINS EMERY, D.D., Taunton. 
WILLIAM JAMES HOWARD, Whitman. 
GEORGE FRANCIS PIERCE, Boston. 
HOWARD KENDALL SANDERSON, Lynn. 
ARTHUR IRVING NASH, Springfield. 
SHEPARD DEVERAUX GILBERT, Salem. 
PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN, Chelsea. 
GEORGE EUGENE BELKNAP, Brooklink. 
MOSES GREELEY PARKER, Lowell. 
NATHAN WARREN, Waltham. 
CHARLES TAYLOR TATMAN, Worcester. 
WELLINGTON SMITH, Lee. 
HENRY A. GOODRICH, Fitchbukg. 




l'KKSi lOTT CHAMBERLAIN, 
Fikst Presideni ok Olu Suffolk Chapter, S. A. R., 1897-1900. 



Cbartcr of ©lo Suffolk Cbaptcr. 

To Prescott Chamberlain, Eugene F. Endicoti ind others, members 
of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, 
residing within the City of Chelsea and vicinity, and subscribers to 
the adjoining petition, 

Greeting : 

Reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, the Board 
oi Managers of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, in response to your petition dated February ist, 1897, and in 
accordance with the vote passed February 3rd, 1897, do by these pres- 
ents authorize you to form a Local Chapter of the Society within the ter- 
ritory of Chelsea and vicinity, to be known as 

Zbe ©lo Suffolk Cbapter of tbe flDassacbusetts Society 
of tbe Sons of tbe Bmertcan devolution, 

to associate with yourselves such other members of this Society as may 
now or hereafter reside within the said territory, and as a Chapter, to 
adopt such Constitution. By-Laws and Regulations as do not conflict 
with the Constitutions and By-Laws of the National Society or Massachu- 
setts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

It is your sacred duty to revive and keep alive, especially within your 
territory, the spirit of pure and unselfish patriotism which inspired the 
Fathers of the Republic, and diligently to promote the lofty aims and 
objects of this Society, as set forth in the Constitutions of the National 
Sol iity and the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Rev- 
olution, to the end that our Country may be preserved Free, Independ- 
ent and United ; that Knlightened Constitutional Government may be 
maintained, and that Peace and Happiness, Truth and Justice, Liberty 
and Fraternity may be established among us for all generations. 

Given under the seal of this Society, in the City of Boston, this Third 
February, in the year of our Lord the eighteen hundred and ninety- 
seventh, and of the Independence of the United States of America the 
one hundred and twenty-first. 

[Signed) EDWIN SHEPARD BARRETT, 

President. 
(seai.i GEORGE HOWARD BROWN, 

Secretary. 



B\>*%a\»s of ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 



ARTICLE i. 

TITLE. 

This Chapter shall be called "The Old Suffolk Chapter of the 
Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution." 

ARTICLE 2. 

OBJECT. 

The object of this Chapter shall be the advancement of the interests of 
the National and Massachusetts Societies of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, as stated in their respective Constitutions, and the promotion 
of such Patriotic, Educational and Social Ends as may be better accom- 
plished by the closer relationship of a local Chapter. 

ARTICLE 3. 

OFFICERS. 

Its officers shall consist of a President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary- 
Treasurer, Historian, and a Board of Directors composed of the five 
named and five members of the Chapter at large. Five members shall 
constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE 4. 

ELECTIONS. 

A. The election of Officers shall take place annually. 

B. At the April meeting in each year a Committee of three shall be 
chosen to nominate a list of Candidates for officers to be elected at the 
annual meeting in May. 

C. Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled for the bal- 
ance of that year by the Board of Directors. 



."6\>Xa\vs. 1 1 

AKTH'l I 

RSHIP. 

A. Any member o! the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the American 
Revolution is eligible for membership, provided that he shall be found 
worthy. 

B. The applicant shall become a member after a favorable report and 
election by the Hoard of Directors. 

C. An annual assessment of two dollars shall be the membership fee 
of the Chapter. 

D. Failure to pay dues within six months after the annual meeting in 
May, may be considered equivalent to a resignation. 

ARTICLE 6. 

MEETINGS. 

A. Meetings of the Chapter shall be held the third Monday in each 
month, except the annual meeting in May and such summer months as 
the Board of Directors may agree upon. 

B. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be at the call of the Pres- 
ident. 

C. Special meetings of the Chapter may be called at any time by the 
President, or at the request of three members of the Board of Directors. 

D. The annual meeting of the Chapter for the election of officers and 
annual reports shall be held on the twenty-seventh day of May, the anni- 
versary of the Battle which took place in 1775. near the Chelsea Ferry 
landing. 

ARTICLE 7. 

REPORTS. 

A. Reports of Committees shall be made to the Board of Direc- 
tors and through the Board to the Chapter. 

B. Reports of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be read at the annual 
meeting. 

ARTICLE 8. 



Delegates and officers from kindred organizations, or other invited 
guests, will be welcome to any meeting of the Chapter, by presenting cre- 
dentials or cards to the President. 



1 2 JB£=%aw5. 

ARTICLE 9. 

SEAL. 

The seal of the Chapter shall represent a Powder-horn, inscribed with 
the name of the Chapter, date: "May 27, 1 775-1897," and the name of 
the City. 




ARTICLE 10. 

AMENDMENTS. 



These By-Laws may be amended at any stated meeting of the Chapter 
by a two-thirds vote of the members present, provided that one month's 
notice has been given. 




EDWIN SANFORD CRANDON. 
Second President of Old Suffolk Chapter, 1900- 



OLD SUFFOLK CHAPTER, 

SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

,;//)«. 1900-1901. 



OFFICERS 

BD Al THE ANNUAI MEETING, MONDAY, 28 MAY, I9OO. 

IJrtsiDmt, 
EDWIN SANFORD CRANDON. 

JFirst VicrlJrtsiDtnt, scconS >"itt=J3ttsilltnt, 

SAM! EL PARCHER 1 ENNEY. WARREN i I 

Stcrftaro frrasurn. &istorian, 

I RED ARNOl !> IKVKS. WALTER KENDALL WATKINi 

tSoaro of Directors, 

IN ADDITION TO THE O 

PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN, GB EDWIN MITCHELL, 

i HARLES EDMUND LEGO, EDWIN FRAN< [S II I 

FRED AUGl STINE CHI NEY. 



©fficers 



OLD SUFFOLK CHAPTER. 



iStcsiJents, 

PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN 1897— 1900 

EDWIN SANFORD CRANDON 1900— 

"BiU'^xteiSeixts, 

EUGENE FRANCIS ENDICOTT .... 1897— 1900 

DAVID FLOYD 1897— 1900 

SAMUEL PARCHER TENNEY 1900— 

WARREN FENNO 1900— 

Sttrttarj^iTreastirers, 

EDWIN SANFORD CRANDON 1897— 1900 

FRED ARNOLD JENKS 1900— 

historian, 

WALTER KENDALL WATKINS .... 1897— 



BoarB of Btrtctots, 

(In addition to the Officers.) 
ALFONSO SCOTT HARRIS 
SETH JUDSON LITTLEFIELD . 
SCOTT FITZ BICKFORD . 
EDWARD FLOYD PUTNAM 
CHARLES LEEDS 
NATHAN FRANCIS CARRUTH 
SAMUEL PARCHER TENNEY . 
WARREN FENNO 
FRANK HENRY DOW 
GEORGE EDWIN MITCHELL 
PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN 
CHARLES EDMUND LEGG 
EDWIN FRANCIS PEIRCE 
FRED AUGUSTINE CHENEY 



1897 — 1900 
1897 — 1900 
1897 — 1899 
1897— 1898 
1897— 189S 
1898—1899 
1898 — 1900 

1899 — 1900 
1899 — 1900 
1900 — 

1900 — 
1900 — 
1900 — 
1900 — 



OLD SUFFOLK CHAPTER. 



flDcmbcrebtp list. 

In order of 



PRESCOTT CHAMBERLAIN . 
EUGENE FRANCIS ENDICOT) 
WALTER KENDALL WATKINS 
(Honorary, May, 1900.) 

ALFONSO SCOTT HARRIS 

CHARLES LEEDS 

THOMAS WILLIAM GREEN . 

SETH JUDSON LITTLEEIELI) 

(.1 < iRGE MYRON STEARNS . 

EDWIN SANFORD CRANDON 

GE( >RGE FRANCIS TARR BROOKS 

THOMAS LORING CHURCHILL 
(Deceased, 17 December, 1900.) 

CHARLES CHURCH RIVERS . 
SCOTT FITZ BICKFORD 
ROSCOE PIERCE 
JAMES LEWIS DUNCAN 
DAVID FLOYD .... 
HERMON WASHINGTON PRATT 
JOHN PAYSON I'EIRCE . 
(Deceased 14 May, 1898.) 

HEMAN WINTHROP PEIRCE . 

(Honorary, June, 1898.) 

CHARLES EDMUND LEGG 



Charter Member. 



At 



Organization. 



June, 1897 



i6 



@IC> Suffolk Cbaptcr. 



WILLIAM HERICK LOVETT ODELL 

CHARLES HENRY FAUNCE 

HENRY SPAVIN 

JOHN STOCKMAN CLOUGH 

WARREN FENNO 

OTIS MERRIAM 

FRANK HENRY DOW 

JOHN McCLURE 

(Honorary, Deceased. 8 Feb.. 1898.) 

JOHN HOWLAND CRANDON 

CHARLES ELIOT GODDARD 
(Resigned June, 1899.) 

FRED ARNOLD JENKS . 

WILLIAM LOCKE SWAN 

EDWIN FRANCIS PEIRCE 

GEORGE BARNETT GUILD . 

SAMUEL PARCHER TENNEY 

NATHAN FRANCIS CARRUTH 

FRED AUGUSTINE CHENEY 

EDWARD AUGUSTUS PRICHARD 

HENRY GALE CHAMBERLAIN 

WALLACE FAY TENNEY 

(Resigned June, 1899.) 

OBADIAH RICH 

THOMAS UPHAM FOLLANSBEE 
GEORGE EDWIN MITCHELL . 
ELMER HEMAN SNOW . 
HENRY ALEXANDER McLACHLAN 
GEORGE HERBERT DUNHAM 
GEORGE THORNDIKE SLEEPER 
JOHN MILTON WELLS . 
EDWIN CURTIS CRAFTS 



June 1897 



September, 1S97 

December, 1897 
January, 1898 



February, 1898 



March, 1898 

April, 1898 

May, 1898 

June, 1898 

September, 1898 



October, 1898 



/IDcmbersbip Xtet. 



'7 



WILLIAM EDWARD McCLINTOCK 
ALVAH WINSL< >W BROWN 
EDWARD CAZNEAU WYETH 
KLMON CROCKER FAUNCE 
GEORGE ARTHUR TAPLEY 
WINTHROP BOWMAN BARTLETT 
JAMES GOULD . 
ALBERT HENRY DROWNE 
COPLEY OSGOOD MEACOM 
FRANCIS JAMES GOOGINS 
JOHN EDSON ITNGREE . 
VERNON ASHLEY FIELD 
CHARLES HENRY REED 
FRED ABNER PITCHER . 
FREDERICK WARREN SNOW 
FRANK WILLARD TUCKER 
EZRA OTIS WINSOR 
GEORGE MOODY TOWNE 



November, 


1898 


January, 


1899 


March, 


1899 


June, 


1900 


October, 


1900 


December, 


1900 



January, 1 901 



IRccrologp. 



JOHN McCLURE. 

An " Actual Son " of a Revolutionary soldier, born at Antrim, 
N. H., 22 February, 1804 ; died at Revere, Mass., 8 February, 
1898 ; a charter and an honorary member of the Massachusetts 
Society, Sons of the American Revolution, 19 April, 1889; Hon- 
orary member of Old Suffolk Chapter, 17 December, 1897. A 
useful, well-rounded life ; an inspiration to those who remain. 



JOHN PAYSON PEIRCE. 

Bom at Chelsea (North), Mass., 1818; died at Revere, Mass., 
14 May, 1898; joined the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the 
American Revolution, 1894; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 11 
June, 1897 ; a devoted and careful historical student ; a true 
patriot, a gentleman whom to know was to love, a memory 
which time cannot efface, a life blessed to all who came within 
its gentle sphere. 



THOMAS LORING CHURCHILL. 

Born at Plympton Mass., April, 1834; died at Chelsea, Mass., 
17 December, 1900; joined the Massachusetts Society, Sons of 
the American Revolution, 4 July, 1891 ; joined Old Suffolk 
Chapter at organization, 1897 ; Engineer United States Navy in 
the Civil War ; a true American, a good friend, a sunny and 
most companionable man, a loss which never can be filled, a 
memory which will be ever fragrant, a useful life of manly char- 
acter and sterling integrity. 



IRecoro of flfccettnos ano papers. 



i8r/7. Subject. Etsayist. 

23 February, Preliminary Meeting General Discussion. 

23 March, Preliminary Meeting, General Discussion. 

16 April, . . The Pullen Point Guard David Floyd. 

Certain Minute-men of Chelsea at the 

Lexington Alarm Walter K. Watkins. 

27 May, . . Notes on Chelsea Revolutionary Soldiers, 

and their Descendants, Warren Fenno. 

1 1 June, . . The Colonists' Right of Revolt, . . . Edwin S. Crandon. 

17 September, Historical Tablets General Discussion. 

! er, . Chelsea and its Inhabitants a Century Ago. Walter K. Watkins. 

19 November, A Trip to Southern Europe, Prescott Chamberlain. 

17 December, Chelsea in the Revolution Mellen Chamberlain. 



21 January. . The 19th of April Alarm and the March 

of the Minutemen of the Old Colony, Fred A. Jenks. 
iS February, . The Bellingham-Cary Farm ; It* Own- 
ers and Occupants Walter K. Watkins. 

Old Chelsea Days and Ways Frank K. Fay, 

Charles A. Currier. 
William Gerrish, 
John P. Peirce. 

18 March. . Pemaquid; Bristol, Maine, Colonial and 

Revolutionary, Prescott Chamberlain. 

15 April, . . The Pilgrim and the Puritan Edwin S. Crandon. 

27 May, . Ladies' Night — The Battle of Chelsea, Albert D. llosson. 
21 June, The Early American Navy Frank E. Fit/.. 

< ild Newbury Scott F. Bickford. 

19 September, The Tories and Their Arguments, . . . Edwin S. Crandon. 
24 October, . Michael Pierce, of Scituate; an Early 

Colonial Officer James L. Duncan. 

28 November, Bits of Old Boston Frank H. Dow. 

19 December, The Porto Rico Campaign in the Span- 
ish War, Charles K. Darling. 



IRecoro of flfceettncjs ano IPapers. 



i8gg. 

30 January, 

27 February, 
27 March, 

17 April, . 
27 May, 



26 June. 



23 October, . 
20 November, 



Subject. Essayist. 

Colonial Days on Cape Ann and Glouces- 
ter in the Revolution Thomas U. Follansbee 

The Puritan and the Cavalier, .... A. L. Hathaway. 

The Settlement of Winnisimmet. Rum- 

ney Marsh and Pullen Point, .... Walter K. Watkins. 

A Trip to Jamaica Prescott Chamberlain. 

Ladies' Night ; addresses by .... Francis H. Appleton, 

Ernest W. Roberts, 
Willard Howland and 
Albert D. Bosson. 

The Services of the Sixth Massachusetts 

Regiment in the Continental Army, 1779, Fred A. Jenks. 

A Search-Light on Colonial Life, . . . Walter K. Watkins. 

Old Boston, England, Edwin S. Crandon. 

American Physicians and Surgeons in the 

Revolutionary War and After, . . . Moses Greeley Parker. 

Social Life in Colonial Times in Con- 
trast with To-day, John H. Crandon. 



22 January, 
19 February, 

19 March, 

23 April, . 
28 May, . 



1 5 October, 
29 October, 



31 December, 



Some Phases of Colonial Schools, . . . 

John Smith, Historian and Admiral of 
New England, , 

The Established Church of Massachu- 
setts; a Study of the Puritan Theocracy, 

Royalston, Mass., in Colonial and Revo- 
lutionary Times, 

Ladies' Night — addresses by .... 



Walter H. Small. 

R. C. Houghton, D.D. 

Henry T. Lummus. 

Edwin F. Peirce. 
Curtis Guild, Jr., 
James Gould, James 
B. Thornton, M.D., 
and Frank E. Wood- 
ward. 

The Puritan Schoolmaster, Charles J. Noyes. 

Heraldry as Applied to National, State 

and Municipal Seals or Coats of Arms, Benjamin P. Hollis. 
The Signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and How their Work was 

Accomplished, Howard K. Sanderson. 

Las Casas, the Saint of Guatemala, . . Rev. R. Perry Bush. 
The Nineteenth Century and Its Lessons Willard Howland. 




5*jj*- *^?: 



V ?W'^ 



General Israel Putnam, Leader of thr American Forces, 
2- May. 1775, after Trumbull's Painting. 



H\k Battle of Cbcleca. 



Address "I Hon. Albert I>. Bosson at the Celebration of the 123d Anniversary 

of the Battle, 27 May, 1898, by Old Suffolk Chapter, 

Sons of the American Revolution. 



Should I name my subject to-night "A Forgotten Battle" 
it would hardly be a misnomer. In these days at the close of the 
nineteenth century, it is a circumstance most uncommon, per- 
haps entirely unique that such a battle should be overlooked — 
a battle in a civilized state in which large bodies of armed men 
were engaged on either side, the issue of which was fraught with 
momentous results to the cause of human liberty as it was to be 
developed in this country. It is certainly unique that such an 
affair should have passed out from the traditions of a community, 
and yet such has been the case with the battle fought within 
the limits of the present city of Chelsea. 

I speak to you to-night about an event important in the 
annals of New England, important in the affairs of the Revolu- 
tion, and yet to all intents and purposes as forgotten as one of 
the many prehistoric conflicts which must have happened in and 
around these shores prior to 1620. It is indeed most remarka- 
ble that an event bearing so strongly upon the affairs of the 
siege of Boston should have so entirely passed from notice. In 
the last two or three decades people with an interest in antiqua- 
rian affairs have spoken occasionally of the affair at Noddle's 
Island. It has been known in circles taking an interest in local 
history that there was a fight up Chelsea Creek, but what it was 
and where it was have well nigh passed from the minds of the 
present generation. So far had it passed that when in 1891 in 



22 ©lo Suffolk (Xbapter. 

an address to the Grand Army of the Republic the writer 
touched upon the facts of this engagement and told the veterans 
of the Civil War of what occurred in this city one hundred and 
sixteen years before that time, it was with some difficulty that 
the auditors were convinced that the facts pertained to history 
rather than to romance, but thanks to the patriotic efforts of 
your organization the facts of this historic day are becoming 
more widely known, the Battle of Chelsea has emerged from the 
mists and is beginning to be recognized by those who have had 
occasion to study it as an affair unique in its occurrence and far 
reaching in its consequences. 

In order that we may better comprehend the events of this 
day, let us place ourselves back in imagination to the 27th day 
of May in the glorious year of 1775. Let us imagine ourselves, 
as the sun was setting, on the slope of Powder Horn, that grand 
old hill which then as now protected the houses of the inhab- 
itants of Chelsea from the blasts of the north wind; let us place 
ourselves by the side of that old county road which with many 
curves then ran at the base of the hill on its way from the Win- 
nisimmet Ferry to Salem, the oldest road in the Bay Colony 
leading from the oldest ferry of the Colony to its oldest capital. 
How different the scene we see to day from the one we should 
have looked out upon on that fateful day. Instead of finding 
ourselves in the centre of a densely populated community, we 
would have found ourselves on the side of a narrow country road 
— a road lined with hedges — not those hawthorn hedges which 
so many of us as boys knew so well, but with the rough growth 
that springs up on the side of a country highway. We would 
have looked upon a highly cultivated country, for the Chelsea 
uplands were fertile and highly prized. Our eyes would have 
looked across the level marshes and rested on the graceful out- 
lines of several low hills, two of which, Bellingham and the Gov- 
ernment Hill, still exist, and two of which not so high but yet 
considerable hills, one near the ferry, formerly the site of Taft's 
Tavern and the other where now stands the First Congrega- 
tional Church, having been long since leveled. Perhaps two 



XTbe Battle ot Cbelsca. 23 

farm houses could have been seen ; behind us on the site of the 
Slade Estate, a large old-fashioned farm house with a lean-to roof 
with a smithy at its side, the house afterwards familiar to us as 
the Carter House ; and to the south on the slope of Government 
Hill the extensive farm buildings of Henry Howell Williams. 

We would have noted this night a peculiar stillness ; we 
would have heard no lowing of cattle, no bleating of sheep, for a 
few days before the Committee of Safety had ordered all cattle 
to he removed from the lower portion of Winnisimmet, so that 
the British soldiers could no longer find a fresh supply of pro- 
visions at this point ; but our ears would have been attentive 
and our eyes open, for strange happenings had taken place. 
Earlier in the day the sounds of musketry had rung out and the 
clash of arms had been heard, and as the stillness of evening 
came on, as the sun went down, as the twilight thickened, should 
we have still remained in this quiet spot, we would have heard 
the far-off murmur of many voices, and just as darkness came 
on, as we looked up the long stretch of highway, we might have 
seen coming a body of yeomanry of nearly one thousand men 
bearing arms, men sturdy, strong, with character, determination, 
the impulse of right purpose written deep upon their faces. We 
would have seen among them an erect, thick set, strong man, a 
man of mature years, a muscular man with an open, bold deter- 
mined countenance, with features large and well proportioned, 
with a large head and full broad forehead proclaiming prodigious 
power and energy, one whose very appearance proclaimed him, 
as indeed he was, " the hero who dared to lead where any dared 
to follow," with voice heavy, strong and commanding. You 
would not doubt that this man was the leader and you would be 
sure of it should you be told that he who passed by with this 
rugged martial host was none other than Colonel Israel Putnam, 
then going to a scene where he would add new lustre to the 
name already a household word through New England and where 
he would lead his forces to such a victory that the Provincial 
Congress would recognize his value and that of his troops by his 
deserved promotion to the rank of Major General. 



24 Olt> Suftolfe Cbapter. 

We would see in this array another veteran soldier, hardy, 
independent, brave, gaunt and tall, Colonel John Stark, who was 
already in command of the troops stationed in Chelsea And 
our eyes perhaps would have selected from the mass for more 
particular attention, a man of graceful mien, bearing all the 
marks of good breeding, yet with enthusiasm and devotion writ 
ten on his face, one whose chivalrous spirit impressed itself upon 
his very appearance, one whose life below was soon to end in a 
blaze of glory and whose name was to be inserted among the 
immortals of American story, to be held in equal honor with 
those of his two compatriots whom we have already noticed, and 
we would be told that this young man was Dr. Joseph Warren. 

Should we still listen we would hear the rumble of wheels 
as two four-pound cannon are drawn by, and for the first time in 
the American Revolution we would see our troops going on a 
military expedition with artillery. Should we watch this column 
and see it passing on over the winding road and follow it until it 
reached a point where a little lane turned off from the county 
road near the site of our present City Hall, we would have seen 
the column turn into that little lane and with our memory of the 
musket firing during the day, we probably would have surmised 
that these men were going to battle and that surmise would have 
been correct. 

On Noddle's Island, as East Boston was then called, quite a 
stock of cattle and horses were kept, and on Hog Island, which we 
now call Breed's Island, or more elegantly Orient Heights, some 
four hundred sheep were pastured. Under the orders of the 
Committee of Safety it was deemed advisable that this stock 
should be removed from the Islands to some inland point. 
Therefore at eleven o'clock on the morning of the 27th of May, 
1775, Colonel Stark with the men of his regiment crossed by a ford 
from the main land of Chelsea to Hog Island at a point from that 
portion of Chelsea which is now Revere, quite close to the rail- 
way bridge which we now know as the chain bridge. Colonel 
Stark was successful in his operation so far as Hog Island was 
concerned, removing safety the four hundred sheep. He then 



Ube JSattlc of Cbelsea. 25 

attempted to pass on to Noddle's Island and to remove the cattle 
and horses thence. He was successful in removing some and 
killing more. There was a small force of British marines, about 
fifty in number, stationed on Noddle's Island, and he met there 
with opposition, but apparently no casualties took place on this 
Island. General Gage, learning of the American raid, sent from 
the City to the Island some one hundred regulars. In the mean 
time the British admiral sent up Chelsea Creek an armed 
schooner mounted with four six-pounders, twelve swivels and an 
armed sloop with a crew of a large number of marines taken 
from the different men-of-war then assisting in the siege of Bos 
ton. A very interesting account of this battle is given in the 
New England Chronicle or Essex Gazette, published on the first 
of June, 1775, from which I quote the following: — 

•• On the :17th ult. as a party of the Massachusetts forces, together with 
a party of New Hampshire forces, in all about six hundred, were attempting 
to bring off stock upon Hog Island and about thirty men upon Noddle's 
Island were doing the same, about a hundred regulars landed upon the last- 
mentioned Island and pursued our men until they had got nearly to Hog 
Island, then the Regulars began to fire very briskly by platoons upon our 
men. In the mean time an armed schooner with a number of barges came 
up to Hog Island to prevent our people leaving said Island which she could 
not effect, after that, several barges were towing her back to her station as 
there was little wind and flood tide. Our people put in a heavy fire of small 
arms upon the barges and two three-pounders coming up to our assistance 
began to play upon them and soon obliged the barges to quit her and to 
carry off her crew, after which our people set fire to her although the barges 
exerted themselves very vigorously to prevent it. She was burnt upon the 
ways of Winnisimmet Ferry. We have not lost a single life, although the 
engagement was very warm from the armed schooner (which mounted four 
six-pounders and twelve swivels), from an armed sloop that lay within reach 
of small arms from one or two twelve-pounders upon Noddle"s Island and 
from the barges which were all fixed with swivels. Hog Island was stript of 
its stock and some was taken from Noddle's Island. 

" Two or three only of our men were wounded, but not mortally. How 
many of the enemy were killed or wounded we cannot ascertain. 

•• We have got into our hands all in the schooner that was not destroyed 
by the fire 



26 ©lo Suffolk Chapter. 

" Perhaps history cannot furnish us with a more miraculous interposi- 
tion of Divine Providence Although our enemies kept up a warm fire both 
from their cannon and small arms, yet we have had but three men wounded, 
two of which received their wounds from our men ; none of them supposed 
to be mortal.*' 

It was the intention of the British commanders in sending 
up the creek the armed schooner and sloop to cut off the retreat 
of the forces acting under Colonel Stark, when they sought to 
return from Hog Island to the main land. Our forces retreating 
before the advancing regulars, were enabled to find cover and 
protection in one of the numerous ditches cut through the 
marshes which surrounded Hog Island. Here they were safely 
protected and inflicted upon the British a number of losses, kill- 
ing some and wounding others. As the Provincial forces fought 
practically from ambush, the British were driven back and in the 
confusion following, our forces regained the main land, probably 
before the vessels gained a point whence they could command 
the ford. Undoubtedly, during the afternoon, either by design 
or more probably by reason of adverse wind and tide the British 
vessels remained at the head of the navigable waters of the 
Creek. Here tradition tells us that a fight took place, and as a 
number of cannon balls have been dug out of the higher land 
near this point, it is most probable that the tradition is correct 
and that the guns and swivels of the vessels were fired upon our 
troops who remained to observe the movements of the British, 
while the Provincials took from time to time shots at the sailors 
and marines on the deck of the boats. 

As evening was coming on and as there was no wind and the 
British evidently fearing to remain during the entire night in a 
neighborhood where the sympathies and activities were so mani- 
festly against them and in favor of the American cause, a number 
of boats filled with sailors and marines began to tow the two ves- 
sels down the Creek, hoping to gain the more open waters of the 
harbor. For some distance the Creek runs between low shores 
and it is probable that no attack was made upon the British until 
they reached a point near where now stands the Magee Furnace 



Zbc Kattle of Chelsea. 27 

Company's factory. Here the shore was higher, forming a bluff 
rising quite precipitously from the waters of the river. There 
the Americans had arrived after their march down the county 
road and a thousand strong were awaiting the enemy. They 
had posted upon these heights their two cannon, and as the ves- 
sels approached, towed by the sailors and marines, conspicuous 
objects from the shore, Putnam and his men waded out waist- 
deep into the water and a fierce fire was poured into the vessels 
and the boats. Our men fighting in the water with the dark 
shore rising behind them, or standing or lying on the higher land 
could be but dimly seen, if they could be seen at all. Although 
the cannons stationed on West or Eagle Head, the point near 
which the Meridian Street bridge now leads from East Boston, 
and the guns of the " Somerset " man-of-war were brought into 
play by the British, they did little or no execution. 

As the Provincials, almost without exception, were trained 
marksmen, the casualties among the British were many. Every 
man in the small boats which were towing the vessels was a 
marked man. The action at this point lasted from 9 p. m. until 
1 1 p. m ., and at the latter hour, the attempt to tow the larger 
vessel, the "Diana," had to be abandoned and the boats' crews 
sought safety in flight, and with such precipitate flight that they 
left behind them their clothing and valuables. Our forces imme- 
diately captured the schooner and after removing all the mate- 
rial on her which could be of any service, they towed her to the 
Winnisimmet Ferry ways, which were then located at 1 he north- 
erly end of the Charlestown-Chelsea bridge, and on the 30th of 
May, three days later, she was burned in order to obtain from 
her the iron and other metals employed in her construction. 
Among the articles obtained from the schooner were, four can- 
non, twelve swivels, and clothes and money. As the Province of 
Massachusetts possessed a very small number of cannon at the 
beginning of the war, one authority placing the number at only 
four, the importance of this capture cannot be over-estimated. 
It has been said that the cannons captured this day were used 
three weeks later at the Battle of Bunker Hill. 



28 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

Although the American losses were very slight, owing not 
only to the protected position held by the Provincial troops at 
each of the encounters of the day, but also to the methods of 
fighting taught the Americans in the long and hard school of 
experience on the frontier and in a sparsely settled country the 
British did not escape so easily. Gordon, in his " History of the 
American Revolution," says, that at least two hundred British 
were killed or wounded. The New Hampshite Gazette says, 
that between two and three hundred were killed and wounded. 
Bearing in mind the usual proportion between killed and wounded, 
these numbers do not seem to be exaggerated if we accept the 
statement of an eye witness. A gentleman who left Boston 
June 6, 1775, stated in New York that he saw sixty four bodies 
of soldiers landed at Long Wharf after this engagement. 

On the other hand a hand bill printed in Newport, R. I., 
states that twenty British were killed and fifty wounded, while 
Timothy Newell, a Selectman of Boston, who kept a most inter- 
esting diary, writes, " This action seems without a parallel, that 
notwithstanding several hundred of the King's troops were 
engaged all night, and it is said one hundred were wounded and 
fell, not the least hurt happened except to three of our people, 
who were commanded by General Putnam. The Lord mani- 
festly appears on our side and Blessed be His glorious Name for- 
ever." Notwithstanding this latter statement the exact count- 
ing of sixty-four to my mind carries conviction and the former 
estimates seem to me to be worthy of acceptance. 

Such are the main facts of this important affair, which the 
writer trusts may at some time not far distant be more fully set 
forth in the pages of some history, designed for greater per- 
manence than the chance pamphlet. Before closing there are, 
however, several questions which deserve our consideration. 
The first one that presents itself is — Was this engagement a 
battle ? 

Frothingham in his history speaks of it as a skirmish and 
several writers following in his footsteps have also used the same 
term, in speaking of the engagement. But the earlier writers 



Ubc Kattle of Cbelsea. 29 

speak far differently of this action and place it in importance as 
second only to Bunker Hill. The number of men engaged in 
the action, including the men from the different branches of the 
British service, certainly exceeded one thousand men, while at 
least a like number were engaged on the American side. Com- 
pare these numbers with those in the fight at Lexington which 
history does not hesitate to call a battle. There sixty or seventy 
American militia, beside whom stood perhaps as many more 
unorganized men, opposed two hundred British regulars, while at 
Concord not over four hundred men were engaged on either side. 
Even at Bunker Hill the number of men engaged only exceeded 
by a few hundred the number engaged at Chelsea. 

Colonel Samuel Swett in his monograph on the Battle of 
Bunker Hill, writes, " In the first place the argument proves too 
much. It would prove he was not the Commander of the battle 
at Chelsea, for he does not mention that in his letter and he 
would have more reason to boast of that than of the Bunker Hill 
Battle." 

General Sumner, the historian of East Boston, and a son of 
Governor Increase Sumner, says, " Immediately preceded by the 
skirmish at Lexington and Concord, which excited our people in 
a manner never before known in this country, and soon followed 
by the more important battle at Bunker Hill, it is perhaps not 
surprising that this engagement on Noddle's Island has not 
hitherto received from historians that notice it so manifestly 
deserves. But in view of the facts * * * are we not justified 
in calling this the second battle of the Revolution." 

Again, he says, "The writer appeals to the public for its 
verdict as to the importance and position which this battle 
should take in the history of that war. Surely, if the number 
of combatants, the character of the officers engaged in it, the 
length of the conflict, the arms used, the bravery displayed and 
the results effected constitute a battle, then does this engage- 
ment on Noddle's Island deserve the name. It was no mere 
skirmish. On one side were a thousand ardent, liberty-loving 
Americans, led by one of the bravest officers of the army and 



30 ©to Suffolk dbapter. 

equipped with small arms and field pieces, while on the other 
was a large body of several hundred marines and regulars, pro- 
vided with two twelve-pounders and supported by a schooner 
which mounted four six-pounders and twelve swivels, a heavy 
armed sloop and eleven barges with swivels." 

These quotations naturally suggest the questions : When 
was the battle fought and what should it be called ? One is 
struck by the charming ?iaivete of Sumner in calling it the Bat- 
tle of Noddle's Island. It is natural he should seek to add 
lustre to the place which was his ancestral home and of which he 
is the historian, and yet in reading his own account of the day, 
while in the main he does not with any degree of definiteness fix 
the location of the events of the day, it does clearly appear from 
his description that the only portion of the engagement which 
took place on the Island was the driving off of the American raid- 
ers in the morning by the British regulars and the ineffective fir- 
ing of the guns on the West Head Battery in the evening, while 
Frothingham disposes of the East Boston portion of the affair 
by saying that a few shots were exchanged between the troops 
at Chelsea and the marines on Noddle's Island. 

And here again the early writers agree in locating the 
battle at Chelsea. 

Colonel Swett who knew personally many of the partici- 
pants called it " The very important action at Chelsea." 

Captain William T. Miller, of the Rhode Island troops, in a 
letter to his wife says, " The place of action was at Chelsey, near 
Winnisimmet Ferry." 

General Ward, in a letter to John Adams, dated October 
30, 1775, says, "There has been no one action with the enemy 
which has not been conducted by an officer of this Colony except 
that at Chelsea, which was conducted by General Putnam." 

Again Colonel Swett says, " From Warren, whom he adored 
as a patriot and loved as a friend and a brother, who had just 
stood by his side at the cannon's mouth at Chelsea and Bunker 
Hill." 



ZIbe JBattle of Cbelsea. 3 1 

The next question is, whether Chelsea or Machias is to be 
credited with the first capture hy American forces of a British 
vessel. Fortunately, this question can be as easily settled as the 
others. Although Frothingham in his earlier edition states that 
O'Brien captured the British vessel " Margaretta " on the nth 
day of May, his later edition corrects this statement, and he 
agree with Williamson's History of Maine in fixing the dates 
of the capture of the " Margaretta " as June II, 1775, fifteen 
days later than the capture of the "Diana." 

It is interesting to note in passing that it was in this battle- 
that cannon were first used by the American forces in action in 
the Revolutionary War. It would be interesting to enquire 
whether cannon or other artillery had been used in this Province 
prior to this date by Provincial troops in any war ; whether this 
was not the first time that cannon had been and by American 
forces in action on the soil of Massachusetts and, indeed, whether 
at any time thereafter, except at Bunker Hill, cannon have been 
used by American forces against an enemy in Massachusetts. 

Then, again, arises the question : How was it that so import- 
ant an engagement has so far disappeared from the pages of his- 
tory ? The answer to this question, in my mind, seems to be 
found in the jealousy which arose between officers in the field. 

Soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill the question arose : 
Who commanded at that battle ? Prescott had his partisans, 
and Putnam had his, and each had strong partisans. Now, if it 
were known that General Putnam had commanded at an import 
arit engagement within three weeks of the time of Bunker Hill, 
and had carried his forces to a successful issue, would it not have 
thrown some light on that point ? Therefore, it seems to me 
that an historian who was a partisan of Prescott, in writing of 
this battle would seek to show that it was not of great import- 
ance. In writing of the siege of Boston, we see that all recent 
historians have followed very closely Frothingham's History. 
Frothingham belonged to the same social circle to which Pres 
cott belonged, the same class of people, the same associations, 
and everything in his surroundings tended to lead him to take 



32 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

the side that Prescott the Colonel commanded at Bunker Hill, 
and that Putnam, the Major-General did not. Frothingham, 
therefore, minimized the importance of this battle. How little 
he studied the affair and how slightly he made himself acquainted 
with the history of Chelsea is shown by the fact that in his 
map of the siege of Boston he has drawn across Chelsea a road 
which is located just as the turnpike is located at the present 
day — a road which was not built until 1802, twenty-seven years 
after the siege, — and that he omitted entirely the county 
road swinging over Powder Horn Hill, which actually existed 
at that time ; so that we may well infer that Frothingham found 
it well for the purposes of his argument to pass over this affair 
lightly, and so lightly that future historians writing of the siege 
of Boston thought it a skirmish so slight that they could pass it 
over without notice. 

My friends, such is the story of the Battle of Chelsea. I 
am sure it is very imperfectly and haltingly told, and yet I am 
very glad of this opportunity to assist in rescuing from oblivion 
the recollections of the battle so important in its effects. Perhaps 
some one of the sons of Chelsea may come forward and put in 
some form more enduring than the spoken word the history of 
this remarkable incident in American History. Indeed, it seems 
to me, there is no more fertile field to be found for the local 
historian than the history of Chelsea. 

Think of it, my friends, such a history would include not 
only the story of this event, but it would be the story of nearly 
three centuries of the stirring acts of brave men. It would 
extend from the days of the building here by that sturdy pioneer, 
Maverick, of the " Antientest house in Massachusetts " all 
through the troubled times incident to the settlement of the 
country. It would include the noble part Chelsea men took in 
the Revolution and in the second war with Great Britain ; it 
would be brightened by her incomparable record in the War of 
the Rebellion and by the splendid acts of her sons in the Span- 
ish War. It would include the story of many men who have 
made a high mark in more peaceful vocations, in art, science, 



Uhc 3Battle of Gbeleea. 33 

literature and industry. We may well feel that there is a field 
for some one to occupy, and may hope that some loyal son of our 
city may write a history worthy to be placed by the side of our 
best local New Kngland histories. It is with the hope that I 
may incite some one to undertake this work and that such a 
history may be written in all its fullness and all its richness that 
I have ventured to speak before you this evening. 



ON THIS SITE, IN 1625 

SAMUEL MAVERICK 

"FORTIFIED THE ANTIENTIST HOUSE 

IN THE 

MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNMENT." 

THE FIRST FERRY IN THE COLONY WAS" 

ESTABLISHED HERE MAYI8,l63l THE LANDINC 

BEINC NEAP THE PIEP. ON THESE CPOUNDS WaS 

THE TERMINUS OF THE FIRST COUNTY ROAD IN 

THE COLONY, BECINN1NC AT SALEM. 
ON THE 27TH OF MAY I775.A CONFLICT OCCURRED 
IN CHELSEA CREEK BETWEEN THE PROVINCIALS 
AND THE BRITISH TROOPS IN WHICH THE APMED 
SCHOONER DIANA WAS ABANDONED BY THE LATTER, 
AND DPIFTINC TO THIS SHORE WAS DISMANTLED AND 
BURNED. FROM THESE HEIGHTS THE PEOPLE OF 
THE SURROUNDINC COUNTRY WITNESSED THE 

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1775. 
APART OF THE LEFT WINC OF THE AMERICAN 
ARMY WAS STATIONED HERE DURINC THE SIECE OF 
BOSTON I775-76.THE U.S.COVEPNMENT PURCHASED 
THIS PROPERTY IN 1823. CHELSEA BRIDGE WAS 
OPENED TO PUBLIC TRAVEL SEPTEMBEP 22,1803. 



Historical Tablet at Gate of the United States Naval He 
Broadway, Chelsea. 



IIS SITE 
T OF THE ALLOTMENT BY THE TOWN OF BOSTON TO 
mi^PY.VANE IN 1638-COVEPNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS 
IN 1636. THIS BUILDING FACES THE FIRST COUNTY ROAD IN 
THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. OPPOSITE HERE STOOD 
THE PPATT HOMESTEAD IN WHICH GF NEPAL WASHINGTON WAS 
ENTERTAINED IN 17 75. THIS LOCALITY WAS AN OUTPOST OF 
THE LEFT WING OF THE AMERICAN APMY DUPING THE SIEGE 
OF BOSTON, 17 7 5-70, EXTENSIVE BARRACKS OCCUPIED BY 
THE PROVINCIALS" BEING NEAP HERE 



Historical Tablet at the Prattville School, Chelsea. 



HppcnMi. 



Notes inu Memoranda from Various Sources Respecting the Battli 
of 27 May, 1775. 



[From William 11. Sumner's " History of Kast Boston," 1858, which quotes liber 
ally from the " Boston Gazette, June, 1775," the " New Hampshire Gazette 
and Historical Chronicle, June, 1775;" Gordon's" History of the Ameri 
can Revolution," Swett's "History of the Battle of Bunker Hill," Froth- 
ingham's " Siege of Boston," and a " Hand Bill printed at Newport, June 
1st, 1775-"] 

The possession of the live-stock upon the different islands in the 
harbor [BostonJ was a matter of no small consequence to the British. 
The army, then consisting of three thousand effective troops, occupied 
the town, while a fleet lay in the harbor. These forces were to be fed, 
and provisions were to be obtained in the face of very serious obstacles. 
Of salt provisions there was a good supply, but the men, unaccustomed 
to such diet, were fast falling sick. Of fresh provisions they were entirely 
destitute. To obtain these was a work of great difficulty. The army 
was completely invested ; communication with the country was cut off. 
The islands in the harbor, stocked as they were with cattle, became the 
scene of numerous skirmishes, and the alarms which were raised in the 
neighboring towns of predatory excursions for the seizure of cattle kept 
the local militia in a state of continual vigilance. The depredations of the 
British were frequent, and were energetically made, and were as often and 
vigorously repulsed. The most important of the engagements which 
took place between the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill was the 
series of conflicts on Noddle's and Hog islands, which continued at inter- 
vals from the 27th to the 30th of May. These two islands, abounding 
in forage and stocked with cattle, were frequently visited by the English, 
who went there for provisions. The Provincials resolved to put a stop to 
this by removing the cattle, and taking away and destroying all the prov- 
ender they could find. This purpose they carried into effect, not, how- 
ever, without a vigorous opposition on the part of the Royalists. 



36 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

The efforts put forth by the colonists to clear the islands of live-stock, 
forage, and of everything which could be of use to the enemy, were made 
under the authority both of the Provincial Congress and of the Committee 
of Safety, both of which bodies took especial action on the subject; and 
if the expeditions to the islands did not originate with Congress and the 
Committee, they certainly were prosecuted to a successful issue under 
their authority, and through officers of their own appointment. On the 
14th of May, 1775, the Committee of Safety passed the following : — 

" Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee, that all the live-stock be taken 
from Noddle's Island, Hog Island, Snake Island, and from that part of Chelsea 
near the sea-coast, and be driven back ; and that the execution of this business 
be committed to the committees of correspondence and selectmen of the towns of 
Medford, Maiden, Chelsea and Lynn, and that they besupplied with such a num- 
ber of men as they shall need from the regiment now at Medford." 

The troops at Medford were about a thousand in number, from New 
Hampshire, under Colonels Reed and Stark. 

On Saturday, the 27th of May, 1775, a small party of the American 
army at Cambridge received orders from General Ward to drive off the 
live-stock from Hog and Noddle's islands. Advantage was to be taken 
of the ebb-tide, when the water would be fordable from Chelsea to Hog 
Island, and from Hog Island to Noddle's Island, it there being only 
about knee high. This detachment, composed of Massachusetts and 
New Hampshire men, and numbering from two to three hundred by 
some accounts, and six hundred by another, was led by Colonel John 
Stark, of New Hampshire, afterward General John Stark, of Bennington 
fame. Forty marines from the British fleet had been previously stationed 
on Noddle's Island as a garrison, and for the protection of the live-stock. 
Colonel Stark with his detachment first crossed from Chelsea to Hog 
Island, and took from it four hundred sheep. They then passed over to 
Noddle's Island to rescue the cattle there from their British keepers. 

The party had killed a few horses and "divers horned cattle,'' and 
taken away alive a few more, when a signal gun was fired from an armed 
schooner lying at anchor near Winnisimmet Ferry Ways. The British 
admiral hoisted a red flag at mainmast-head, and sent the schooner, 
which mounted four six-pounders and twelve swivels, an armed sloop, 
and a large number of marines from the different men-of-war, up Chelsea 
Creek, to cut off our return to the main land. The barges conveying 
these marines were eleven in number, and all were mounted with swivels. 



HppenMr. 37 

A heavy tire was now opened from the sloop and schooner, under cover 
ol which the marines advanced upon our men, who were busily engaged 
upon the island in the prosecution of their object. In the meantime 
General Gage sent over from the city a hundred regulars to reinforce the 
marines previously stationed on the island. The Provincials, under this 
heavy lire, retreating to a ditch in the marsh, kept themselves undiscovered 
uniil they had opportunity to fire with effect upon the enemy. * * * 
They then re-crossed to Hog Island, where they were joined by the 
remainder of the party from Chelsea, the regulars who remained upon 
Noddle's Island firing upon them at the same time very briskly by 
platoons. 

Having cleared Hog Island of all the stock, and a sharp fire still 
continuing between them and the schooner, sloop, boats and marines, 
the Provincials drew up on Chelsea Neck and sent for a re-inforcement. 
General Putnam, with three hundred men and two four-pounders, came 
to their aid, and being the highest in rank, he took command of our 
united forces, which now amounted to about a thousand men. The gal- 
lant and patriotic Warren also, too ardent to remain at a distance, hastened 
to the spot as a volunteer, and by words and deeds encouraged the men. 
Putnam reached the ground about nine o'clock in the evening, and took 
in at a glance the true state of things. Perceiving Noddle's Island occu- 
pied by a large body of the enemy, and that a galling fire was kept up by 
the schooner, sloop and boats, he with his customary coolness went down 
to the shore and hailed the schooner, which was within speaking distance, 
offering the men good quarters if they would surrender. The schooner 
answered with two cannon shot, which was immediately replied to by 
two discharges from the cannon of the Provincials. 

A heavy fire ensued from both sides. The armed sloop, and a 
great number of boats sent from the ships, came to the aid of the 
schooner, and at the same time a large re-inforcement of marines, with 
two twelve-pounders, was sent to Noddle's Island. For two hours the 
engagement was severe, until the firing from the schooner ceased. The 
fire from the shore was so hot that her men found that they must perish 
on board their vessel, or make their escape from it. The love oflife con- 
quered, and they hastily took to their boats, leaving the schooner and all 
she contained as booty for the Provincials. The barges attempted to tow 
her back to her station through the sharp fire of Putnam's men, but 
unable to endure the severe fire they were compelled to quit her. The 
battle, now becoming more general, continued through the whole night. 



38 ©15 Suffolk dbapter. 

The schooner drove ashore on VVinnisimmet ferry ways, and a party con- 
sisting of Isaac Baldwin and twelve others of the Provincials, after taking 
from her whatever was valuable, rolled bundles of hay under her stern, 
and set her on fire and burned her up. The reason for burning the 
schooner, of course, was the fact that the harbor being in possession of 
the British, they would not be able to keep the vessel in their own hands. 
The Provincials took from the schooner " 4 double fortified four- 
pounders, 1 2 swivels, chief of her rigging and sails, many clothes, some 
money, &c, which the sailors and marines left behind." The account 
honestly adds, " they having quitted in great haste ! '' The Committee 
of Safety took possession of the contents of the schooner, as appears from 
the following extract from the journal of that Committee : 

" May 30, 1775 — Elisha Lettinwell was directed to proceed with two teams 
to Chelsea, and bring up from thence the cannon and other stores saved from the 
schooner which has been burned by our people, and to lodge said stores in this 
town (Cambridge.)" 

Again, 

"June 21, Ordered, that Mr. James Munroe, an armorer in the Provincial 
service take into his keeping a quantity of old iron saved out of the cutter burned 
at Winnesimit ferry, he to be accountable to the committee for the same." 

The sloop still continued her fire, which was vigorously replied to 
from the shore, and a heavy cannonade was commenced upon the Pro- 
vincials with the twelve-pounders from a hill upon Noddle's Island called 
West Head, near to and directly opposite the Winnisimmet ferry-ways, 
But Putnam * * * leading his men and wading up to his middle in 
mud and water, poured so hot a fire upon the sloop that, very much 
crippled and with many of her men killed, she was obliged to be towed 
off by the boats. It is a striking illustration of the courage and impetu- 
osity of Putnam that he and his brave followers attacked and crippled 
this sloop with small arms ; that leaving their cannon they waded within 
musket distance and there fought the heavy armed vessel, heedless of the 
great disparity in weapons and of their dangerous position. 

Soon after the disabling of the sloop the firing ceased, excepting a 
few scattering shots between the marines on Noddle's Island and the 
party at Chelsea. During the whole of the following forenoon, however, 
the Somerset man-of-war of sixty-eight guns and five hundred and twenty 



Hppen&ii. 39 

men was continually tiring upon the people on the Chelsea side. It is 
remarkable that in this long and well-contested engagement not a man 
belonging to the Provincial army was killed and but three or four were 
wounded, while the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was very 
severe. The celebrated (contemporary) poem by John Trumbull, 
entitled " M'Fingal,'' thus alludes to this engagement : — 

" Though Gage whom proclamations call 
Your Gov'rnor and Vice Admiral, 
Whose power gubernatorial still 
Extends as far as Bunker Hill, 
Whose admiralty reaches clever. 
Near half a mile up Mystic river, 
Whose naval force yet keeps the seas, 
Can run away whene'er he'd please. 
Nay, stem with rage, grim Putnam boiling. 
Plundered both Hog and Noddle island ; 
Scared tioops of Tories into town, 
Burned all their hay and houses down, 
And menaced Gage, unless he'd flee, 
To drive him headlong to the sea ; 
As once, to faithless Jews a sign, 
The De'el, turned hog-reeve, did the swine." 



[A contemporary letter describing the Battle — New England Hist. Keg., 1857, 
P- 136] 

Rhode Island Camp in Roxbury, 

May 29th 1775 
Dear Wife we were yesterday and the Night before last under arms which 
was Occasioned by An Engagement Colonel putnam With about 250 Men had 
with a Thousand Regulars the Engagement began at about half after nine Oclock 
on Saturday Night and lasted till Day Light when Coll putnam Returned to the 
Head Quarters at Salem having Burnt an Armed Schoner and Taken 16 pieces of 
Small Cannon kill'd 13 of the Horses that Lately arrived from England said to be 
for the Light Horse and Taken 17 More Co'. 1 putnam had not a Man killed and 
only three Men Wounded How many of the Regulars were killed we cannot learn 
only that there were Discovered in the action three Regulars killed and it is 
thought Numbers more were Slain the place of Action was at Chelsey near win- 
nysimmit ferry Sixteen Miles from this place (by Land) when we first Heard the 
firings which was very Brisk I mustered my forces which were about 240 at the 
first alarm Not knowing but it was a General Attack and Sent off expresses for- 



40 ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 

ward toward the Enemy Sent out Several companies to Reconoiter who went 
forward until they were Informed where the fire was and were Satisfied their help 
was not wanted (some went Down Head Quarters) & in the morning the Fire 
Renewing I Marched Down with all My men but a few who I Left behind to 
Guard the Incampment and Magazine went to Head Quarters for Orders to go 
forward were within Sight of the Ennemies fire but the General thinking it Best for 
Me to Return and Refresh my Men and hold My People in Readiness and Soon 
after my Return Co 1 ? Hitchcock Co 1 . 1 Cornel Arrived Here and Took the chief 
Command and toward Night Major Sherburn Arrived Here Since which several 
Companies are Arrived we heard a Number of Cannon fired toward Chelsey Last 
Evening but have not hearn what they have Done we are I should be glad if you 
would Send me Some Linning Such as Shirts &c when you have them Ready if you 
want to Send anything to me Such as Shoes or any thing Else you will pleas to 
have them Bundled up and a paper pasted on the Bundle and a Letter Wrote 
Ready 

I am your Loving Husband 

William T. Miller. 



[From " The Siege of Boston," by Richard Frothingham, 1850.] 

The next skirmish was dwelt upon with great exultation throughout 
the colonies. The Committee of Safety had directed the live-stock to be 
driven from the islands On Saturday, May 27, a detachment was 
ordered to drive it from Hog and Noddle's Island, lying near Chelsea, 
the passage to which, at low tide was covered by about three feet of 
water. About eleven a.m., a party went from Chelsea to Hog Island, 
and thence to Noddle's Island, to drive off the stock. They were 
observed by the British, who, to prevent this despatched a schooner, a 
sloop, and forty marines. The party, however, burnt a barn full of salt 
hay, an old farm-house, killed three cows and fifteen horses, and sent a 
few horses and cows to Hog Island. At this time they were fired on 
from the vessels, and by a large party of marines, who put off in boats 
from the men-of-war, and they retreated to a ditch, lay there in ambush, 
until they obtained a chance to fire on the marines, when they killed two 
and wounded two. 

They then retreated to Hog Island, and were joined by the remain- 
der of the detachment. The stock was first driven off, between three 
and four hundred sheep and lambs, cows, horses, & set., and then the 
Americans formed on Chelsea neck, during which the British fired from 
the vessels, from the barges fixed with swivels, and from Noddle's Island. 



HppenMi. 41 

The Americans sent for a re-enforcement. About three hundred 
men and two pieces of cannon arrived about nine o'clock. General 
Putnam now commanded the pari;, and Dr. Warren, to encourage the 
men, served as a volunteer. General Putnam hailed the schooner, offer- 
ing the men good quarters if they would submit, who answered this sum- 
mons with two cannon shot. This was immediately returned by the 
Americans, and a sharp fire on both sides continued until eleven o'clock, 
when the fire of the schooner ceased. The men had abandoned her, and 
towards morning she got aground upon the ferry ways. A party consisting 
of Isaac Baldwin and twelve men, about day-break, after taking out her 
guns and sails and other articles, burnt her, under a fire from the sloop. 
The sloop was so much damaged that she was obliged to be towed off by 
the boats. After a few shots had been exchanged between the party at 
Chelsea and the marines on Noddle's Island, the firing ceased. The 
Americans did not lose a man and had only four wounded. The loss of 
the enemy was reported at twenty killed and fifty wounded. This was 
probably exaggerated. The Americans captured, besides clothes and 
money, twelve swivels, and four four-pound cannon. The affair was 
magnified into a battle, and the gallantry of the men engaged in it, and 
the bravery of General Putnam elicited general praise. The news of it, 
arriving in Congress just as it was choosing general officers, influenced the 
vote of Putnam for Major-General, which was unanimous. 



[Notes from the Journal of The Cominittte of Safety and of The Committee of 
Supplies of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. 1774 — 1775.] 

April 24, 1775. 
Resolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden be, and hereby are, 
absolutely forbidden, to fire upon or otherwise injure any seaman belonging to 
the navy under the command of Admiral Graves, unless fired upon by them, until 
the said inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden receive orders from this committee or 
the General of the Provincial forces so to do. 

April 20, 1775. 

Resolved, That the resolve of the twenty fourth instant respecting the inhab- 
itants of Chelsea and Maiden be reconsidered, and Ordered, that it be immediately 
remanded : also 

Resolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden, be hereby desired, to 
put them.elves in the best state of defence, and exert the same in such manner, as 
under their circumstances, their judgments may direct. 



42 ®l& Suffolk dbapter. 

May 3, 1775. 

Voted, That two companies be raised in the towns of Maiden and Chelsea 
for the defence of the sea coa6t of said towns, the said companies to be joined to 
such regiments in future, as they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or 
discharged from service as soon as the public good will admit of it. 

May 7, 1775. 

Ordered, That the selectmen and the committee of correspondence for the 
town of Chelsea, be desired to take such effectual methods for the prevention of 
any provisions being carried into the town of Boston, as may be sufficient for that 
purpose. 

May 14, 1775. 

Resolved, As the opinion of this committee that all the live stock be taken 
from Noddle's Island, Hog Island, Snake Island, and from that part of Chelsea 
near the sea coast, and driven back ; and that the execution of this business be 
committed to the committees of correspondence and selectmen of the towns of 
Medford, Maiden, Chelsea and Lynn, and that they be supplied with such a num- 
ber of men as they shall need from the regiment now at Medford. 

May 15, 1775. 

Voted, That the Hampshire companies now at Medford if enlisted into this 
colony's service under Colonel Stark or Colonel Sargent, and properly equipped 
shall be provided with barracks; those of them, if any, who are not and do not 
choose to be enlisted, and are not equipped are to be furnished with provisions for 
their return. 

May 23, 1775. 

IVhereas our enemies make frequent excursions to the islands and sea coasts 
from which they plunder hay, cattle and sheep; which not only greatly injures many 
individuals, but also the public, and strengthens the hands of our enemies; therefore 

Resolved, that it be recommended to the honorable Congress, to take some 
effectual measure to secure the stock on the islands and sea coast, to prevent its 
falling into the hands of our enemies. 

May 24, 1775. 

Resolved, That it be recommended to Congress, immediately to take such order 
respecting the removal of the sheep and hay from Noddle's Island as they may judge 
proper, together with the stock on the adjacent islands. 

Voted, That the commisary general be directed to supply twenty-five men of 
Captain Sprague's company, who are stationed at Chelsea. 



Hppen&ii. 43 

May 30, 1775. 

Elisha Littinwell was directed to proceed with two teams to Chelsea, and 
bring up from thence the cannon and other stores saved from the schooner which has 
been burned by our people, and to lodge said stores in this town. [Cambridge.] 

JUNB2I, 1775. 

Ordered, That Mr. James Munroe an armorer in the Provincial service take into 
his keeping a [quantity] of old iron saved out of the cutter burned at Winnesimit 
ferry, he to be accountable to the committee for the same. 

July 3, 1775. 

Henries Vonhari, an Indian, having represented to this committee that he had 
taken two horses at Noddle's Island, one a little horse, which he is desirous of retain- 
ing as some recompense for his fatigue and risk in that action, in which he is said to 
have behaved with great bravery, it is the opinion of this committee that said Indian 
should be gratified in his request, which will be an encouragement to others in the 
service, provided the honorable Congress should approve thereof. 



[Notes from the Journal of the Second Provincial Congress of Massachusetts con- 
vened at Cambridge, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1775.] 

Representative from the town of Chelsea, 
MR. SAMUEL WATTS. 

Tuesday, May 23, 1775. 

The committee appointed to bring in a resolve respecting the depredations of 
the British troops on the islands and sea coasts reported as follows : 

Whereas, the forces under the command of General Gage and Admiral Graves, 
are frequently plundering and making depredations on the islands and sea coasts of 
this province, from whence they plunder or purchase hay, cattle, sheep, and many 
other things to the injury not only of individuals but also to the great damage of the 
public, and thus strengthen the hands of our enemies: 

Therefore Ruolved, That it be recommended to the several towns and districts 
on the sea coast of this Colony, and to all those persons living on the several islands 
on said coasts that they remove their hay, cattle, sheep & set., that are exposed to 
those ravages, and cannot be sufficiently guarded, so far into the country as to be out 



44 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

of the way, of those implacable enemies to this people. Also that it be recom- 
mended to the committees of correspondence in each town and district, and to the 
selectmen where no such committee is chosen, that they take effectual care that this 
resolve be immediately and strictly put into execution, and that all persons who 
refuse to comply with the aforegoing resolve, shall be held as incorrigible enemies 
to the rights and liberties of this country. 

This report being read and amended. Ordered, That the further considera- 
tion thereof be referred to the next Provincial Congress. 



[Notes from The Journal of the Third Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, con- 
vened at Watertown, Wednesday, May 31, 1775.] 

Representative from the town of Chelsea. 
DEACON JOHN SALE. 

Friday, June 2, 1775. 
Ordered, That Captain Parker of Sturbridge, Captain Thatcher, Cambridge, 
Mr. Jewett, of Littleton, Colonel Porter of Hadley and Mr. Singletray of Sutton, be 
a committee to consider what is best to be done with the horses lately taken from 
Noddle's Island. 

The committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the horses 
taken from Noddle's Island reported. The report was accepted, and is as follows, 
viz. : 

" The committee appointed to consider what shall be done with the horses taken 
by our forces from Noddle's Island which belong to our enemies, beg leave to report : 
that the same horses be delivered to the committee of supplies to be by them used 
and improved for the benefit of the colony, as they shall think fit, until further order 
from this or some future congress or house of representatives." 

Tuesday, June 13, 1775. 
To Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan, Esquires — 

You are directed to proceed as soon as may be to the posts of Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point by the road through the new settlements called the New Hampshire 
Grants; that you may carefully observe the quality of the said road and judge of the 
feasibleness of transporting provisions by the said road to the waters of Lake Cham- 
plain ! that you take with you copies of the commission and instructions of the Com- 
mittee of Safety to Colonel Benedict Arnold. 



appendix. 45 

Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan [Representative from Biddeford,] have liberty to 
use the horse in Mr. Fowle's pasture in this towne [Watertown] which was taken 
lately from Noddle Island, for his journey to Ticonderoga. 

iy, June 26, 1775. 
A list of the officers and soldiers of Captain Samuel Sprague's company was 
presented to the Congress, whereupon, Ordered that commissions be delivered to 
the said officers, viz.: Samuel Sprague, Captain; Joseph Cheever, Lieutenant; 
William Oliver, Ensign; and that the Company be joined to Colonel Get- 
ment. 

Tuesday, July 4, 1775. 

The committee upon the letter relative to the Indian's having ahorse, reported. 
The report is accepted and is as follows, viz. 

Resolved: That a small horse, taken by Henries Vonhari, from Noddle's 
Island, be granted to the said Henries for his own use, to encourage his further brave 
conduct and good behaviour in camp. 



CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLE. 

[Extract of a letter from Falmouth, Casco Bay, dated 4 June, 1771.] 

" Capt (who on his passage to New York from this place with a load 

of Spars, was lately seized by Admiral Greaves and carried into Boston) returned 
here last Thursday Evening. He says he was at the Wharf at Noddle's Island when 
the Battle began, and has given us a particular Account of the same. He says the 
Sloop near Winnisimmet, that had the first Brush, cut or slipped her Cables, and 
came and fastened to his Stern. He was shocked to see the Blood running out of 
the Scuppers; there was a Number of Dead and Wounded lying on the Deck, but the 
Survivors did not care to tell how many. The Diana Schooner next engaged, and 

the master of her told Capt. that Guns were never better served than ours 

were, that not a shot missed him * * » I bave not time to write you all he says : 
One man was carried on board for dead, but next Morning came too, and had not the 
least Wound about him, others were frightened almost to Death &c. and that there 
was an amazing Difference in the Looks and Behaviour of the Enemy after the 
Battle, from what there was before; before there was nothing but Noise and Confu- 
sion, afterward, all were still and quiet, insomuch that you could hardly perceive 
that there was any Fleet or Army there. From the General down to the Common Sol- 
dier, they seemed to be in a great Panic, were afraid to go to bed, for fear the Yan- 
kees should kill them before Morning. "—Xew England Chronicle or Essex Gazette, 
15 June, 1775. 



46 ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 

" On the 27th ult. as a Party of the Massachusetts Forces, together with a Party 
of the New Hampshire Forces, in all about 600, were attempting to bring off the 
Stock upon Hog Island, and about 30 Men upon Noddle's Island were doing 
the same, about a hundred Regulars began to fire very briskly by Platoons upon 
our Men. In the mean Time, an armed Schooner, with a number of Barges 
came up to Hog-Island to prevent our People leaving said Island, which she 
could not effect; after that, several barges were towing her back to her Station, as 
there was little Wind, and flood Tide; Our People put in a heavy Fire of small Arms 
upon the Barges, and two 3 Pounders coming up to our Assistance, began to 
play upon them, and soon obliged the Barges to quit her, and to carry off her crew; 
After which our People set Fire to her, although the Barges exerted themselves very 
vigorously to prevent it. She was burnt upon the Ways of Winisimet Ferry. We 
have not lost a single Life, although the Engagement was very warm from the Armed 
Schooner (which mounted four 6 Pounders and 12 Swivels), from an armed slood 
that lay within Reach of Small arms, from one or two 12 Pounders upon Noddle's 
Island, and from the Barges, which were all fixed with Swivels. 

" Hog Island was stript of its Stock, and some was taken from Noddle's Island. 
Two or three persons only of our Men were wounded, but not mortally. How many 
of the Enemy were killed and wounded we cannot ascertain. We have got into our 
Hands all in the Schooner that was not destroyed by the Fire. We have to inform 
our Friends that since the above Attempt to remove the live Stock from the Islands, 
it has been actually done; Five or Six hundred sheep and Lambs, upwards of 20 
Head of Cattle and a Number of Horses, have been removed to the main Land. 
Perhaps History cannot furnish us with a more miraculous Interposition of divine 
Providence: Although our Enemies kept a warm Fire, both from Cannon and 
Small arms, yet we have but three Men wounded, two of which received their 
Wounds from our Men; none of them supposed to be mortal. . . . We still beg 
the most earnest and constant prayers of our pious Friends, that our Heads may 
always be covered in the Day of Battle. 

" The Lord is a Man of War, let Salvation be ascribed to the Lord. 

11 Our Enemies in Boston, we are informed, are very confident of having made 
a great slaughter in the above Engagement. They report various Accounts of the 
Number of our Men whom they killed and wounded, some of them are so moderate 
as to mention only 2 or 300, others of them make our Loss amount to about 600. 

"May 27th — Parole 'Medford;' countersign 'Chelsea.' 

"Officer for the day, to-morrow, Col. Patterson. 

" Field Officer for the Picket to-night, Maj. Brooks. 

" Field Officer for the main guard to-morrow, Lt-Col. Bond. 

" Field Officer for the fatigue, Col. Ward. 

"Adjutant for the day, Warner. 

"The countersign the next day, 28th, was 'Deliverance.' 

"May 28th — General Orders. — 'That Col. Doolittle march with four hundred 
men to Chelsea and relieve Col. Nixon and his party, with the other troops that went 
from this camp; and he is to conduct in such manner as he may judge will most con- 



Hppentur. 47 

tribute to the general safety. If the cannon which are in the schooner which was 
taken yesterday can be secured without too much exposing the troops, he may bring 
iIktu off; or otherways conduct, as his best judgement shall direct. 

" May 31 — General Orders. 'That the stock which was taken from Noddle's 
Island, belonging to Mr. Henry Howell Williams, be delivered to his father, Col. 
Joseph Williams of Roxbury for the use of said Henry H. Williams.' 

" June 2 — General Orders. 'That all such persons who have horses in camp 
that were taken from Hog Island and Noddle's Island return them immediately to 
head-quarters, excepting such horses as the owners have had general orders to 
take.' " 



'A POEM 



" On the Wonderful Interposition of Providence in Preserving a party 
of the American Troops in the late Engagement at CHELSEA, who were 
greatly exposed to a brisk fire From the Ministerial Troops but by the 
Resolute and Gallant behaviour of the NEW-ENGLAND Forces, (with 
the assistance of that GOD, who decides all Controversies) Came off Vic- 
torious : Having killed and wounded a great Number of the Enemy, 
Notwithstanding their continual fire our loss consists of only three 
wounded. 

1. 

Americans adore the God, 

That hath began to save, 
And break the cruel Tyrant's rod, 

That would thy land inslave. 

II. 

When cannons did like thunder roar, 

And balls like lightning fly, 
Yet not a man laid in his gore, 

By thy fierce enemy. 

111. 

Thy soldiers heads were covered, 

By Him who rules the sky, 
( >r many must have been struck dead 

And others bleeding lie. 



48 ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 



IV. 

There's none can say it was thy sword 

Gave thee, the victory, 
Therefore ascribe it to the Lord, 

And set His name on high. 

V. 

Such victory in later days, 

We must confess is rare, 
Then let thy God have all the praise. 

Who did thine armies spare. 

VI. 

But let New England's sons yet fear, 

To sin against the Lord, 
Lest God thine enemy appear. 

And be no more thy Guard. 

VII. 

Joy not in a vain glorious way, 
In what thou now have won, 

Remember thou the armory, 
To bare hast but began. 

VIII. 

Before that thou dost put it off. 

You may see many fall, 
Then in thy pride don't rise aloft, 

Nor say we'll conquer all. 

IX. 

Before honour humility, 

And meekness doth abound, 

Before a fall pride riseth high, 
Which doth the great confound. 

X. 

O then beware lest you rebel, 
Against the Lord most high, 

By disobedience ISRAEL fell, 
Before their enemy. 



HppcnMi. 49 



XI. 

We hear profaneness doth increase, 

Among our soldiery, 
If then from sin we all don't cease, 

Can we have victory. 

MI. 
O be not thou like Briton's sons, 

\\ hose tongues arc bunt for lies, 
Whose words like fouler waters runs, 

Their oaths do pierce the skies. 

XIII. 
Should you then trace their horrid path, 

Destruction must you meet, 
'Twill bring on you Cod's heavy wrath, 

Your forces will defeat. 

XIV. 
Trofaneness cannot prosper long, 

New England fear this road, 
For such as do this broad way throng. 

Must be abhor'd of God. 

XV. 

Would you the God of armies have, 

Again to fight your foe, 
Then let your hearts unto him cleave. 

And you His power shall know. 

XVI. 
None never trusted Him in vain, 

Or on His grace rely'd, 
Who were by haughty tyrants slain. 

Or victory deny'd. 

XVII. 
fear sin more than Briton's bands, 

With all their weapons bright, 
God will save from their bloody hands. 

If you regard what's right. 

XVIII. 

Jehovah is a man of war. 

None can His power withstand. 
In ancient days he saved the poor, 

From the oppressor's hand. 



50 ©U> Suffolk Chapter. 

XIX. 

When many haughty kings combined 
To spread destruction wide, 

Against his friends in battle join'd, 
They fell down at his side. 

XX. 

Tho' they did many terrify, 
And nations did them dread, 

Yet they with slain in battle lie, 
Their swords under their head. 

XXI. 

But if New England will not hear 
The warning of her God, 

God will bring judgments more severe, 
With His avenging rod. 

XXII. 

O may the judgments that we fear, 
Make our hard hearts relent, 

And may the mercies that we share, 
For sin make us repent. 

XXIII. 

That so God might be our defence, 
And heal th' unhappy jar, 

That each England may yet be friends, 
And drop weapons of war. 

XXIV. 

So strife that's been might not remain, 

'Gainst unity abar, 
May grace from God friendship regain, 

So prays thy friend E. R. 



" Printed and Sold, at Nathaniel Coverly's Printing Office, at Chelms- 
ford, where may be had a number of Pamphlets, &c. At the new Place 
may be had by the Groze, Dozen or Single, Poems on the late Engage- 
ments at Concord, Chelsea, and Charlestown." 



Sppen&ti. 5 1 

DETAIL OF THE SCOUTING PARTY FOR THE 26th OF MAY, 
1775- 

Richard Dodge, 1 corporal and six men 7 

Captain Rogers, I Commander, four privates .... 5 

Captain Gerrish's, one sergeant and four 5 

Captain Cogswell's privates ....... 6 

Captain Warner and four 5 

Captain A. Dodge 4 

To parade opposite the College Chappel at j£ past 6 precisely. Mr. 
Emmans guard 27 of Capt. A. Dodge's men (1 Lt. , 2 Sgt. and 24 men) 
of Capt. Warner's 1 Lt. , 1 Sgt., 1 Corp., 24 privates. 

Tristram Zebiger, 
Camp Cambridge. 26 May. Adjt. 



A BRITISH ACCOUNT. 

From the Journal of Colonel Stephen Kemblc, of the British Army in Boston, 1775 : 
Page 43. He was Deputy Adjutant-General of the British Army in North 
America under Generals Thomas <iage, Sir William Howe and Sir Henry 
Clinton; born New Brunswick, 1740, died 1829; brother-in-law of General 
Gage.] 

Sunday, May 28th. — A small party of the Rebels drove some Cattle 
off of Hog Island, on which the Admiral dispatched a small armed 
Schooner between the Island and the Main, (a narrow passage) and some 
Marines on the Island to drive the Rebels off — this about 2 or 3 o'clock 
in the Afternoon, but the tide not allowing the Schooner to return till 
late in the Evening the Rebels brought Cannon and fired on her briskly, 
and in the confusion the Schooner ran on Shore on the Winessemet Ways, 
on which she was quilted by the People, and left to be burnt by the 
Rebels. The Admiral applied to the General, and got a Detachment of 
83 Marines on the Island about 9 in the Evening, who remained in Wil- 
liams's house. The General by no means approved of the Admiral's 
scheme, supposing it to be a trap, which it proved to be ; we lost two 
or three Men Killed, and a few Wounded. 



5 2 ©lb Suffolk Chapter. 

CxENERAL PUTNAM'S COMMENT. 

When Putnam returned to his quarters, wet, and covered to the 
waist with marsh mud, contracted by wading over the flats to burn the 
vessel, he met General Ward and Dr. Warren. Without stopping to 
change his dress he related to them the events of the day, and added • 
"I wish we could have something of the kind to do every day it would 
teach our men how little danger there is from cannon balls, for though they 
have sent a great many at us, nobody has been hurt by them. I would 
that Gage and his troops were within our reach, for we would be like hor- 
nets about their ears ; as little birds follow and tease the eagle in his 
flight, we would every day contrive to make them uneasy." Warren 
smiled and said nothing, but Ward replied : '• As peace and reconcilia- 
tion is what we seek for, would it not be better to act on the defensive 
and give no unnecessary provocation ? "—[Tarbox. 



THE PULLIN POINT GUARD. 

[From a Paper Read at the Meeting of Old Suffolk Chapter, 16 April 1807 by 
David Floyd.] " ' 

Among the documents preserved in the Revolutionary Archives of 
Massachusetts is « A Rool of the men that keept Guard att Pullin Point 
in Chelsea by order of Capt. Saml. Sprague from April 19, i 775 till Dis- 
charged by there officer." The roll includes seventeen names The 
term of service in each case was one month, the date of discharge May 
1 6, and the amount of wages £2. The names of the Pullin Point Guard 



were- 



Andrew Tewksbury 
John Sargent 
~Jonth. Belcher 
Nathaniel Belcher, Jr. 
Thos. Cleavery 
Josiah Gleason 
John Tuksbury 
Seth Whood 



• 






Z*&n?a£& /fasfc/Ay 









.\<"^ ."• 



#iP £***i ,^v«-i 






Lax 



; < 



*~ y "fay- g'~'"'"Tbt£- 



\\ Estimation i Damages tor m: Removal <>i Family and Property ok 
John I'i .- 1775. 






I'ass iH rough mi American Lines, Siec.i 01 Boston, 1776,15s 

John Tewk ■ in Point. 



HppenMi. 53 

Wm. Brown 
Charles Bill 
Jonth. Belcher, Jr. 
N \i h. Belcher, 3rd. 
John Tukesbury, Jr. 
Joshua ( Ii.eason 
Job Worrow 
Nath. Sargent 
I ami's Tukesbury 

"This may Sertify that the above parsons were ordered to keep a 
Guard att Pullin Point in Chelsea, being part of my company. 

By me 

Samuel Sprague, 

Capt." 



On the back of this roll is the endorsement of the action of the Gen- 
eral Court, as follows : 

"The Committee appointed to consider the petition of Capt. Sprague together 
with the Rool accompanying the same beg leave to Report — 

'" In the House of Representatives, April 30, 1776 — 

" ' Resolved, that their be paid out of the public Treasury of this colony the 
sum of thirty four pound in full to the seventeen men bourn on the Rool exhibited 
by Capt. Sprague for one months sarvis for keeping guard at Pullin Point in Chelsea, 
each man to draw his own wages or by his order upon his giving oath that he per- 
formed the sarvis mentioned in said Rool.' " 

Part of the service by the seventeen men above-mentioned prob- 
ably was performed at Point Shirley in the old fort, the earthworks 
of which were clearly defined up to a few years ago. A paper is still pre- 
served, signed by some military authority of the time, granting leave to Mr. 
Joseph Belcher, the ancestor of many of the present Winthrop Belchers, 
to pass and repass to Point Shirley. Captain Sprague had twenty-eight 
men belonging to his company from the section of Chelsea in which he 
lived, now the town of Revere, and under his command they served fif- 
teen days, following the Lexington Alarm. The company assisted in 



54 ©l& Suffolk Cbapter. 

removing the live-stock from the Islands, 4 May, 1775, and 27 May 
of the same year burnt a British armed schooner somewhere in Chelsea 
Creek. Under Captain Cheever of Chelsea the company took part in 
other engagements during the Revolution. It is not probable that the 
Pullin Point members of the company took part in these operations. 

As near as we can ascertain the men above-mentioned comprised 
nearly the whole male population of the territory now called Winthrop, 
and it is quite likely that some of them were inhabitants of Deer Island. 
There were probably only seven or eight houses here, outside of Point 
Shirley, where there were perhaps as many more. The old church, 
shown in Pelham's map of 1777, was built at the time of the establishment 
of the fishing industry in 1753, but there is no record of how long it was 
used for worship or what became of the building. 

The descendants of the seventeen men named on the roll, now liv- 
ing in Winthrop, number 225, men, women and children. Andrew, 
John and James Tewksbury were sons of John Tewksbury, died 1752. 
The three brothers were ancestors of 150 persons now living in Winthrop, 
fifty of whom bear the Tewksbury name. John, Jr., named in the roll, 
was son of John, one of the brothers, who lived in the old Bill house, still 
standing on Beal Street. Sixty descendants of Jonathan Belcher are liv- 
ing in Winthrop. The last list of legal voters of the town of Winthrop 
(1897) contains the names of seventy-six men who have in their veins 
the blood of some of the seventeen men whose names appear in Captain 
Sprague's list. 



CHELSEA REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

[From a paper read at the meeting of Old Suffolk Chapter, 27 May, 1897, by 
Warren Fenno.] 

* Rev. Phillips Payson 

* Captain Samuel Sprague 

* Abijah Hastings 

* Samuel Cheever 

* Samuel Pratt 

* Caleb Pratt, 2d 

* Daniel Pratt 



_ 




Hppen&ir. 55 

fJOHN SYKES 

* William Low 

* William Oliver 

* Job Worrow 

* James Stowers 

* John Tewksm'ky, Jr. 

* Graves marked at Revere by Old Suffolk Chapter, Monday, 5 
July, 1897. The town of Revere furnished the markers of the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., and appropriate exercises were held, with prayer, 
oration and reading of brief biographical sketches. The committee of 
the Chapter consisted of John P. Peirce, H. Winthrop Peirce, Warren 
Fenno, Walter K. Watkins and Edwin S. Crandon. The prayers were 
offered by Rev. Nelson S. Burbank, the oration was by Mr. Scott F. 
Bickford, Representative to the General Court from the 28th Suffolk Dis- 
trict, and Mr. Watkins read the biographical sketches as each grave was 
marked, I John Sykes enlisted 28 February, 1781 ; he had not lived in 
Chelsea before the war and he probably removed after 1788. 

The descendants of Captain Sprague, now living in Revere (1897), 
are eighty-two in number. Descendants of Abijah Hastings also live in 
the old Hastings house near the Unitarian church. Descendants of 
Samuel Pratt also are living in Revere. 



" A Muster Roll for the Company of Militia under the command of 
Captain Samuel Sprague that entered the service of the Province of Mass- 
achusetts Bay April 19, 1775 and continued in the same untill discharged 
by their officers. Majority discharged May 3 to 16. 

MEN'S NAMES. 



Sam. Sprague, Captain 
Sam. Watts, Lieutenant 
Sam. Clark, Ensign 
Joseph Gkbbn, Sergeant 
JONA. Williams, " 
Sam. Kloyd, jun " 
Joseph Cheever, •• 



William Oliver, Corporal 
Sam. Pi " 

John Watts, " 

Edw. Waite, " 

Joseph Hasey 
Sam. IIazeltim 
Silas Clarke 



56 



©lb Suffolk Cbapter. 



Wm. Bordman 
Amos Porter 
James Stovvers 
Wm. Watts 
Joseph Pratt 
Abijah Hastings 
Gersham Joy 
Jesse Upham 
Sam. Sergant, jun 
Jonas Dixon 
Joshua Cummy 
Aaron Bordman 
Sam. Call 
Ezra Pratt 
Sam. Hutton Pratt 
Thomas Rankin 
Joseph Williams 
Thomas Barrington 
Nathan Floyd 



Ben j. Tuttle 
Joseph Tuttle 
Ezra Brintnall 
Solo. Shute 
Hez. King 
Joseph Green 
Sam. Sargent, 3rd 
Nathan Cheever 
Thomas Cheever 
Jona. Hawks 
John Robins 
Eben Sergant 
Benj. Sergant 
David Sergant 
Jabez Burdett 
Sam. Watts, Tun 
Isaac Watts 
Joseph Oliver 
Tileston Clark 



" A Muster Roll for a Company in Chelsea under the command of 
Captain Samuel Sprague, held on the Alarm List who entered the service 
of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, April 19, 1775. and continued in the 
same untill discharged by their officers. (Discharged 4 May to 16 May. ) 



Thomas Pratt 
John Sale 
Joshua Cheever 
Benj. Brintnall 
Ebenr. Bordman 
Jacob Breeden 
Benj. Brintnall, jun 
Aaron Bordman 
Moses Collins 
Wm. Eustice 
Hugh Floyd 
Jona Fuller 
James Floyd 
Wm. Low 



John Low 
Abijah Lewis 
Benj. Lashe 
William Oliver 
Richd. Shute 
Isaiah Tay 
Sam. Tuttle 
Benj. Tuttle 
Dan'l Pratt 
John Pratt 
Caleb Pratt 
Jona. Waite 
Rich Watts 
Wm. Oliver, jun 




1 lol M . 




lUk Newdigate-Yeamans House, Revere. 



HwcnlMr. 






THE CHELSEA COMPANY AT THE »? MAY. 17-5 BATTLE. 



.--ami . SPRAGI e, Chelsea, i aptain 
Joseph Chervkr, Chelsea, 1 Lieutenant 
William Oliver, Chelsea, 2 Lieutenant 
Abijah HASTINGS, Chelsea, Sergeant 
Wm. Johnson (Reading) Sergeant 
Timothy Brient, ^ Reading) Sergeant 
Hezekiah King, Chelsea, Sergeant 
William ( 'livkk, Chelsea, Corporal 
John Pratt, Chelsea, Corporal 
Thomas Cheeyer, Chelsea, Corporal 
JOSEPH Green, Chelsea, Corporal 
Naphtili Newell, Boston, drummer 
James BRIENT, Reading, private 
HENRY Blake, Chelsea, private 
Jacob Baker, Chelsea, private 
Jack BRIENT, Stoneham, private 
NATHAN Cheb\ er, Chelsea, private 

Joshua Cummins, Chelsea, private 
[ >\vis, Chaclestown, private 
Jonas Dixon, Chelsea, private 
Jonathan Eaton, Reading, private 
David McEl key. Salem, private 
J.'HN GOODIN, Chelsea, private 
Pomp. Green, Stoneham, private 
CaTO Green, Stoneham, private 
Jack Green, Reading, private 
Sam. Kelch, Reading, private 
Sam'i Ma/.eltine, Chelsea, private 
Nath'l Henderson, Chelsea, private 



J.'HN HOLDEN, Reading, private 
James Hill, Reading, private 
John HayWARD, Salem, private 
Peter HlNES, Marblehead, private 
R Jackson, Boston, private 
i >w, Boston, private 
Daws Lambert, Reading, private 
Sam. Linds, Maiden, private 

Newell, Boston, private 
I RATT, Lynn, private 
Thomas Pratt, Chelsea, private 
Sam. HuttON Pratt, Chelsea, private 
IHOMAS Raskins, Boston, private 
John Robbins, Chelsea, private 
Nathaniel RlDGWAY, Boston, private 
Thomas RlDGWAY, Boston, private 
Solomon Shite, Chelsea, private 
Wili iam Samson, Gloster. private 

Alexander Shirley, Chelsea, private 
ALEXANDER Shirley, jun, Chester, private 
James Shirley, Chester, private 
[OHN SHIRLEY, Chester, private 
John TuttlE, Lynn, private 
Thomas Tittle, Lynn, private 
Edward Watte, Chelsea, private 
Spenser Williams, Reading, private 

I WESS in, Reading, private 
Nathan Walton, Reading, private 
Oliver WaI Ion, Reading, private 



The majority of this company served from 4 May, 1775 and were 
in the levies enlisted for eight months service in Colonel Baldwin's Regi- 
ment. 



58 



©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 



LAND OWNERS AND INHABITANTS IN CHELSEA AT THE 
BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION. 



[Inhabitants indicated by a star.] 



John Alley 

Joseph Bassett 

Jaeez Breed 

Nehemiah Breed 

Nathan Breed 

Amos Breed 

* William Boardman 

Capt. Ephraim Brown 

Jonathan Bill 

John Batts 

Jonathan Berry 

Nathaniel Belcher 

♦Jonathan Belcher 

♦Nathaniel Belcher, jun 

•Jonathan Belcher, jun 

*David Belcher 

♦Joseph Belcher 

♦Widow Ruth Bill 

♦Deacon Benjamin Brintnall 

♦Ezra Brintnall 

Aaron Boardman 

John Boardman 

Capt. Benjamin Blaney 

John Burditt 

Widow Sarah Bacheler 

John Breed 

♦Jabez Bordett 

♦Ebenezer Butman 

Josiah Breed 

♦Jacob Baker 

Maj. Abner Cheever, 

Caleb Collins 

Joshua Collins 

Samuel Collins 

Nehemiah Collins 

♦Joseph Cheever 

♦Nathan Cheever 

♦Joshua Cheever 

♦Nathan Cheever, jun 



♦Moses Collins 
♦Samuel Call 
♦Samuel Clark 
♦Silas Clark 
Deacon Abijah Cheever 
Samuel Cary, Esq. 
Theofhilus Collins 
Isaac Chittenden 
Job Collins 
♦Tileston Clark 
Joseph Douty 
♦Jonas Dixon 
William Estes 
♦Hugh Floyd 
♦James Floyd 
Samuel Floyd 
♦Samuel Floyd, jun 
♦Nathan Floyd 
♦Jonathan Fuller 
William Farrington 
♦Capt. Jonathan Green 
♦Joseph Green 
Thomas Green 
William Green 
Deacon Daniel Green 
♦Widow Phebe Green 
John Green 
David Green 
Samuel Green 
Samuel Green, jun 
Jotras Green 
John Grover, 3rd 
Samuel Graves 
William Graves 
Bernard Green 
William Green 
♦Josiah Gleason 
Samuel Grover 
Rand Granes 



HppenMr. 



59 



Hills 
•Abijah Has 
Widow Abigail Hawkes 

•Jonathan Hawkes 
HOVEY 

•Joseph Hasey 
•Benjamin Henderson 
Nathaniel Howard 
Amos [ngalls 

it Jenkins 
•Joseph Keti hi 
kiah King 
•William Low 
*JOHN Ix>w 

Widow k u hei. Lynde 
Joseph 1 

Lieut. Nathan Lynde 
:r LlNDSEY 

•Samuel Lewis 

John Nichols 
Daniel Newhall 
: im i (liver 
•William OLIVER, jun 

•Joseph Oliver 

•William I (LIVER, 3rd. 

•Rev. Phillips 1'a-. 
•Thomas I'kaii 
•Daniel S. I'ratt 
•John Pratt 
•Joseph Pratt 
•Caleb Pratt 
•Widow Reueuca I'kaii 
•Widow Elizabeth Pka 11 
•Widow Mary Pratt 
Jacob Parker, jun 
Deacon Joseph Perkins 
Ebenezkr Pain 
Ebenezer Pratt 
William Proctor 
•Jacob Parsons 
James Purrington 
•Amos Porter 
•John Robbins 
Nehemiah Ramsdell 



•John Raymond 
•Capt. Samuei 

•Deacon John Sali; 
•Daniel Sigourney 
John Sargent 
Amos Shite 
Silas Sargent, jun 
•Samuel Sargent, jun 
•James Stowers 
"Nathaniel Shadwick 
•Samuel Sargent, 3rd 
Samuel Silsbee 
Henry Silsbee 
•Richard Shuts 
Thomas Sari 
Richard Shute 
•Solomon Shute 
Jabez Sargent 
•Ebbnezer Sargent 
David Sargent 
Ezra Sargent 
Samuel Stebbins 
Phineas Sprac.uk, jun 
Samuel Stai ey 
•Isaiah Foy 
•Benjamin Tuttle 
William Twist 
John Tufts 
Benjamin Ti itle, jun 
•Andrew Tewkesbury 
•James Tf.wkesbry 
•John Tewkesbury 
•Jesse Upham 
Amos Upham 
•Samuel Watts 
•Jonathan Williams 
•Samuel Waits, jun 
•William Watts 
"John Waits 
•Joseph Williams 
•Isaac Waits 
Capt. Daniel Waters 
William Waite 
■ 



6o 



©lo Suffolk Chapter. 



Jonathan Waite 
♦Edward Waite 
Thomas Waite 
Thomas Waite, jun 
Isaac Waite 



Widow Waite 

*Seth Wood 
"Joseph Waite 
Sarah Waite 



*Job War row 
*Tower Hill 
*John Goodwin 



*Henry Blake 
" Boyington 




; I .L1NGH AM-I IRY H 



^JJfcf^||^,- -<- x 





1 lit I'K A 



BppenMi. 6 1 

NOTES ON THE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Map ok thb Scene of the Battle. 

This is reproduced from a section of the map compiled in 1 788 by 
William Gordon, from Pelham's map for the country and Lieutenant 
Page's for the harbor, 1775. It was used by Marshall for his " Life of 
Washington." 

The Historical Tablets. 

From the beginning of its meetings old Suffolk Chapter devoted 
much attention to the subject of appropriate marking of historical places 
in Chelsea by bronze tablets, and the subject received an impetus which 
carried it to success. Mr. Alfonso Scott Harris and Mr. Walter K. Wat- 
kins represented the Chapter on a joint committee of the Board of Alder- 
men, and the Chapters of S. A. R. and D. A. R. , of which joint com- 
mittee Alderman Charles E. Rowe was Chairman, Miss Maud L. Brown, 
Regent, representing Captain Samuel Sprague Chapter of the Daughters 
of the American Revolution. This joint committee held frequent meet- 
ings and finally the Aldermen unanimously voted the funds for a tablet 
at the Prattville School-house, while the cost of the tablet at the Naval 
Hospital grounds was raised by public subscription under the auspices of 
Mr. Harris and the "Chelsea Gazette.'' This was in 1897, the tablets 
being placed in position 27 May 1898. The Chapter has a fund as a 
nucleus for a third tablet, to be erected near the Newdigate House in 
Revere, on the completion of the Boulevard 



The Old Chelsea Meeting House. 

This illustration is from a photograph of a painting by Mr. John G. 
Low, of Chelsea. The building was erected in 1710, remodelled in 1857, 
and again reconstructed in 1887. It stands on Beach Street, Revere, and 
is used by the Unitarian Society of that town. In Colonial and Revolu- 
tionary days it was the parish church of the whole town. The first pas- 



62 ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 

tor was Rev. Thomas Cheever, 1715-174S ; the second, Rev. William 
McClenachan, 1 749—1754 ; the third, Rev. Phillips Payson, 1757-1801 ; 
and the fourth, Rev. Joseph Tuckerman, 1801-1826. The Rev. Thomas 
Cheever also was the first school-master of Chelsea; he died in 1748, 
aged 92, and his body is buried in the old cemetery at Revere. Rev. 
Phillips Payson, a notable figure in the town's Revolutionary history, 
also is buried in the old cemetery, where his grave is marked with the 
emblem of the Sons of the American Revolution, together with the graves 
of other Chelsea soldiers in the War for Independence. 

Judge Sewell's Diary says: "1710, July 10. Mr. Jno. Marion and 
I went to Rumney Marsh to the raising of the Meeting House. I drove 
a Pin, gave a 5s Bill, had a very good treat at Mr. Chiever's — Went 
and came by Winnisimet. " "July 16 — Extream hot wether. Mr. 
Cook, Bromfield, and I goe to Rumney Marsh to finish the Meeting 
House. Stowers is to make the windows. Got home well Laus Deo. 
Several died of the heat at Salem.'' Judge Mellen Chamberlain in the 
Memorial History of Boston, 1881, (vol. II., p. 378, note) says: " It is 
supposed that this meeting-house, somewhat changed, is still standing, 
and if so, it is the oldest in the County of Suffolk. The view represents 
it as it appeared some years since, before its face was changed from the 
north to the west. The right and left entrances were to the galleries, one 
for colored men and the other for colored women. There was another 
and probably older meeting house, which stood a few rods westerly of the 
present edifice, and was standing as late as 1776." "'Mr. Chiever,' 
who gave a treat to Sewell and his friends, was the Rev. Thomas Cheever, 
son of the famous school-master. * * * He took up his residence at 
Rumney Marsh (1686), occupying as is supposed, the Newgate House." 



Newdigate-Yeamans House, Revere. 

Among the earliest grantees of land at Winnisimmet was John New- 
digate of Boston. The house is said to have been built for Nathaniel 
Newdigate or Newgate, about 1680. It afterward was owned by the 
Shrimpton and Yeaman families, and is often called the Yeaman's house. 
It has been occupied also by members of the Cheever and Watts families. 
In a story, " The old house on Romney Marsh," by Hezekiah Butter- 
worth {Boston Transcript, 7 to 11 February, 1898), the house is referred 
to — "It is one of the oldest houses in America, and has been often pic- 



appendix. 63 

tured — artists love it, in its solemn decay. It had never been painted ; 
its sides seem about to drop out here and there, but it holds the sturdy 
old New England character. I think that the house is associated with 
old-time merry makings, but not with any tradition of ghost lore. It has 
great historical interest. Its green fields and orchards have a tradition. 
The second battle of the Revolution under the direction of General Put- 
nam was fought on Romney Marsh, and this marsh was a part of that 
wide acreage of the sea lands that comprised Chelsea, and much of what 
is now Revere and possibly Winthrop. The tradition is that the plough- 
men have found cannon balls in the fields. Such a thing would not be 
unlikely, as the battle was between a small war vessel and a fleet of boats 
on t the British side and General Putnam's soldiers on the American side. 
Putnam himself brought with him two cannon to the borders of the 
marshes. He captured the British vessel and caused her to be burned. 
In this engagement, of which more might be made in history, the British 
lost twenty men. The battle of Romney Marsh took place May 27, 
1775. General Putnam gave a curious account of it, in which he told a 
story of how he waded through the deep mud of the marsh : a story 
worthy of companionship with his adventure with the wolf.'' 



Bellingham-Cary House, Chelsea. 

This house stands on what was formerly the Cary Farm [Parker 
Street] This farm was bought by Governor Richard Bellingham from 
Samuel Maverick in 1635. The house erected by Bellingham, was 
enlarged, for the use of the Townsend family, tenants who occupied it, 
in 1664. From the Bellingham's it came into the Watts family, and by 
intermarriage into the Graves, and then the Cary family. J. W. Freese, 
in his "Historic Houses and Spots in Cambridge and Near-By Places," 
1898, says : " This is certainly as fine a specimen of a Colonial house as 
one meets with in many a day's travel, and bears with dignity the name 
of mansion. It was undoubtedly the summer residence of Governor 
Richard Bellingham, as he also had a very substantial house in Boston, 
near Pemberton Square. He came here from England in 1634, and 
became one of the wealthiest and most extensive landowners of the char- 
tered company. In 1641 he became Governor, serving ten years in that 
capacity, and thirteen as Deputy Governor. He was twice married, per- 
forming in the second instance the marriage ceremony himself. For 



64 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

this he was prosecuted, but escaped by refusing to leave the bench. In 
this old house, built about 1670, the writer finds a feature that he had 
often read about and heard of but had never before seen — a secret pas- 
sage connecting the cellar with a secret chamber in the attic." 



Pratt House, Chelsea. 

Thomas Pratt, of the Maiden family of that name, came to Winni- 
simmet previous to 1700, and purchased the Ireland-Way farm, which 
included that part of Chelsea later known as the Pratt Neighborhood or 
Prattville. Erected on this farm were two houses, one of which is still 
standing. The other on the opposite side of Washington Avenue was 
noted as a resting place of General Washington, during the Siege of 
Boston. Freese, in the work quoted above, says of this house : " In all 
our searches for famous old country houses, rarely, if ever, have we 
found one more satisfying to the eye than is this, built, it is supposed, 
about 1660. It is a somewhat rare combination of the ' gambrel roof 
and the ' lean-to ' and is pleasing as a whole and also when studied in 
detail. It was in this house that Increase Mather (President of Harvard 
College, 1684-1701), took refuge from the persecutions of Governor 
Andros. He finally escaped to England, where he obtained a new char- 
ter for the Colony. This house has always been occupied by some mem- 
ber of the Pratt family." Mrs. Rebecca Pratt, daughter of a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, died here in June, 1900. In the stone wall surrounding 
Washington Park, Prattville, is a door-stone of the former Pratt house, 
with an inscription marking the barrack grounds of Colonel Gerrish, at 
the Siege of Boston. 



Andrew Tewksbury House, Winthrop. 

Built early in the seventeenth century and still standing on the hill, 
at Point Shirley. Andrew Tewksbury and his descendants occupied the 
house for at least 125 years. Gerry Tewksbury, who died in 1889, was 
the last of the Tewksbury name to occupy the house. Governor John 
Hancock's summer house stood about 100 feet west of this house. 



Hppendtx. 65 

Winthrop House, Winthrop. 

Built about 1649 > tne home of Deane Winthrop, son of Governor 
John Winthrop, for fifty years, fudge Sewell visited the house on the 
occasion of Mercy Winthrop's wedding in 1699, and also at the time of 
Deane Winthrop's funeral, in 1703. For a number of years previous to 
1S25 members of the Tewksbury family lived there, and since that time 
it has been the home of four generations of the David Floyd family, 
David Floyd, Senior, moving to the house in 1825, from that part of 
Chelsea, now Revere. The house stands on Shirley Street, near the 
Ocean Spray railroad station. 

Bill Hoise, Winthrop. 

Built about 1650 by James Bill; occupied by his son, Lieutenant 
Jonathan Bill, of the Boston Militia ; his grandson, Jonathan Bill, a boat- 
builder, and by Jonathan Bill, 3rd, who was a selectman of Chelsea in 
1744 and 1753. In 1779, when owned by John Tewksbury, a room in 
this house was used for a school-room for the Point district of the Town 
of Chelsea. The school was in session seventeen weeks, and twenty two 
persons attended. John Tewksbury's descendants occupied the house 
until about 1875. The house stands on Beal Street, south from Main 
Street. 

Estimation of Damages. 

The " Fstimation of Damages " is a reproduction of one of five sim- 
ilar papers found by Mr. David Floyd among the large number of old 
documents collected by Mr. Herman B. Tewksbury, of Winthrop. From 
these papers it appears that during the Siege of Boston John Tewksbury, 
James Tewksbury, Andrew Tewksbury, Seth Wood " and his Mother- 
in-Law, Ruth Bill " and the heirs of John Sargent obeyed the "order of 
the Generall " and removed their families and flocks from Pullin Point 
inland, out of danger from the troops of King George. Houses were 
rented in the northerly part of the old town of Chelsea, and in Lynn, and 
to them removed the families named. They took with them 456 sheep, 
23 horned cattle, three loads of hay and eight loads of "goods.'' 
After seven weeks they returned to the Point. 



66 ©10 Suffolk Cbapter. 

John Tewksbury's Pass. 

Thomas Crafts, who signed this pass through the American Army 
lines, was engaged, early in the Siege ot Boston, in the military opera- 
tions in the old Town of Chelsea. He was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel of an artillery regiment raised for the defence of Boston, 8 May, 
1776 ; Colonel, 27 November, 1776 and served later in the Continental 
Army. During the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Revere, he com- 
manded at Castle Island, 1779. 




OLD SUFFOLK CHAPTER 



REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND ANCESTORS' SER- 
VICES IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 



BARTLETT, WINTHROP BOWMAN 



Chelsea 



Xatiunal No. 13,2^9; Mate No. 1879; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. K , 7 July, 1900; joined Old Suffolk Chapter. 15 
October, 1900. 

Great-great grandson of WILLIAM BARTLETT ( 
1837), Marblehead, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Thomas 
Grant's Company, Colonel John Glover's Regiment, enlisted 16 
May, 1775 ; served two months and twenty one days ; Si 
in Captain John Merritt's Company, Colonel John Glover's (21st) 
Regiment of Foot, at Cambridge during the remainder of 1775, 
participating in the Siege of Boston ; Private in the sea-coast 
Guards, Captain Francis Felton.from 1 September to 15 Novem- 



6<s ©IJ> Suffolk Cbapter. 

ber, 1776; Gunner of the Continental schooner "Lee," John 
Manly, Commander, four months' service ; later he was " very 
much engaged in Privateering or Naval service " in the privateer 
ship " Thorn," formerly a British sloop of war, Captain Richard 
Cowett, for two cruises, serving as Prize Master. 

BICKFORD, SCOTT FITZ Brookline 

National No. 9837; State No. 13S7; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 5 March, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization; Director, 1897-1899. 

Great-grandson of JONATHAN BICKFORD, (1730- 
1818), Dover and Wolfboro, New Hampshire, Private in Cap- 
tain Daniel Quimby's Company, Colonel Josiah Bartlett's Regi- 
ment, raised July, 1776, tor service in Canada; Corporal in Cap- 
tain Joseph Badger's Company, mustered by Major Philbrook. 

Great-grandson of JACOB HAINES (1 757-1 848), Green- 
land, New Hampshire, Private in Captain John Folsom's Com- 
pany, Colonel Moses Kelley's Regiment of Volunteers which 
marched from New Hampshire and joined the Continental Army 
in Rhode Island, 1778; Private in Captain Henry Elkins's Com- 
pany, enlisted for the defence of Piscataqua Harbor, under order 
of Brigadier-General Sullivan ; member of the Greenland Militia 
Company, 1780. 

Great-great grandson of JOSHUA HAINES (1724-1830), 
Greenland, New Hampshire, Selectman of the Town ; Repre- 
sentative to the New Hampshire Legislature, 1776-1779 ; signed 
the return of soldiers for Greenland, New Hampshire, 30 June, 
1 78 1 ; Private in Captain Henry Elkins's Company ; member of 
the Greenland Militia Company, 1780. 

Great-great Grandson of MATTHIAS HAINES (1713- 
1795), Greenland, New Hampshire, Private in Captain Joseph 
Dearborn's Company in the Continental Army in service on an 
expedition against Canada. 

Great-great grandson of JONAS LESLEY (1746-1815), 
Hollis, New Hampshire, Private in Captain William Roads's 



TReflister. 69 

Company, Colonel Baldwin's Regiment ; at the Battle of White 
Plains, New York, 28 October, 1776; discharged, December, 
1776 ; received j£6 for wages and bounty. 

Great-great grandson of JOHN STONE (1728-1791), New- 
buryport, Massachusetts, Private in Colonel Smith's Regiment 
from 17 February, 1777 to 31 December, 1779. 

Great-great-great grandson of JEREMIAH FITZ (1708- 
1S01), Newburyport, Massachusetts, Mariner on the ship Ven- 
geance, Captain Thomas Thomas, engaged 27 June, 1779, dis- 
charged 27 August, 1779; served two months on the Penobscot 
expedition. 



BROOKS, GEORGE FRANCIS TARR . . . Chelsea 

National No. 4990; State No. 591 ; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 1 April, 1893; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization. 

Great-great grandson of JOSEPH BROOKS (1747-1820), 
Hanover, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Joseph Soper's 
North Militia Company of Hanover, which marched to Marsh- 
field on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, against a Company 
of British Regular troops under Captain Balfour, stationed there 
for protection of the Tories of that vicinity ; Private in Captain 
Winslow's Company, Colonel Cary's Regiment, which marched 
to Roxbury 12 February, 1776; Private in Captain Joseph 
Soper's Company, Colonel John Cushing's Regiment, which 
marched to Bristol, Rhode Island, 10 December, 1776, on an 
Alarm ; Private in Captain Hay ward Pierce's Company, Colonel 
Theophilus Cotton's Regiment, drafted from Hanover and Scit- 
uate for a secret expedition to Tiverton, Rhode Island, 25 Sep- 
tember, 1777 ; Private in Captain Joshua Reed's Company, Col- 
onel John Robinson's Regiment, 1777; enlisted as Private in 
Captain Holmes's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Regiment 
of Guards, for duty at Cambridge, 1 April, 1 77S ; Private in 
Captain Francis Brown's Company, Colonel Mcintosh's Regi- 



jo ©lo Suffolk dbapter. 

ment, General Lovell's Brigade of Massachusetts Militia on an 
expedition to Rhode Island, August — September, 1778; enlisted 
25 July 1778, as Private in Captain Edward Richardson's Com- 
pany, Colonel Thomas Poor's Massachusetts Regiment, for duty 
at the North River, New York, discharged 9 February, 1779 ; 
member of the Committee of Safety of the Town of Hanover, 
Massachusetts, 1781. 



BROWN, ALVAH WINSLOW Chelsea 

National No. 11,873; State No. 1723; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 6 January, 1899; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter 30 January, 1S99. 

Great-great-great grandson of EZEKIEL MARSH (1710- 
1798), Danvers, Massachusetts, commissioned Ensign, 21 
August, 1754, in the service of King George II. ; although sixty- 
five years of age he was a participant in the Battle of Lexington, 
19 April, 1775, with his two sons, Ezekiel and John. He 
marched from Danvers with Captain Caleb Low's Company of 
Minute-men, of which his son, Ezekiel, Junior, was Lieutenant. 
He marched thirty-five miles and was present at the Battle. 



CARRUTH, NATHAN FRANCIS Chelsea 

National No. 1 1,155; State No. 1630 ; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 February, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 
18 February, 1898; Director, 1898-1899. 

Great-grandson of THOMAS HALE (1744-1834), North 
Brookfield, Massachusetts, Private in Captain William Henry's 
Company in the Worcester County, Massachusetts Regiment 
raised by order of September, 1779, an( i served at Castle and 
Governor's Islands, Boston Harbor, 2 October — 10 November, 
1779. 



Register. 7 1 

CHAMBERLAIN, HENRY GALE Chelsea 

National No. 11,169; State N 1. 1644; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S, A. K„ 4 March, 1S98; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 18 
March, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of JEREMIAH CLOUGH (1739- 
1815), Canterbury, New Hampshire, Captain of a Company in 
Colonel Enoch Poor's (Second New Hampshire) Regiment, 
enlisted 24 May, 1775 ; served two months and three days ; com- 
missioned 1 January, 1776, as Captain in the Eighth (New 
Hampshire) Regiment of Eoot, Colonel Enoch Poor. 

Great-grandson of JOSEPH BURLEIGH (1756-1838), 
Epping, New Hampshire, Private in Captain James Marris's 
Company, Colonel Enoch Poor's Regiment, enlisted 26 May, 
1775 ; served two months and eleven days ; Private in Captain 
Daniel Gordon's Company, Colonel Thomas Tash's Regiment, 
raised to reinforce the Continental Army in New York, mus- 
tered 20 September, 1776. 



CHAMBERLAIN, PRESCOTT Chelsea 

National No. 5063; State No. 663; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. K., 10 May, 1894; member of the Board of Managers, 
189S-1901 ; Charter member of Old Suffolk Chapter ; President, 
1 897- 1 900; Director 1900- 

Great-grandson of WILSON CHAMBERLAIN (1724- 
1791), Charlestown, Massachusetts, present at the Battle of 
Bunker Hill, 17 June, 1775, with his two oldest sons; Private in 
Captain Benjamin Richardson's Company, Colonel Dyke's Regi- 
ment, 1776, at Dorchester Heights; Private in Captain David 
Chadwick's Company which marched at the Bennington Alarm, 
1777 : Private in Captain Samuel Hubbard's Company, Colonel 
Job Cushing's Regiment, 18 August— 22 October, 1777 ; served 
2 months 13 days. 



72 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

Great-great grandson of JOHN HALE (1731-1791), Hollis, 
New Hampshire, Lieutenant Colonel in the Fifth New Hamp- 
shire Militia Regiment, 1775; Colonel, 1776; Member of the 
Provincial Congress, 1775 ; Surgeon of the First New Hamp- 
shire Continental Regiment, 1776-1780; Brigadier-General of 
Militia, 1784-85 ; Representative from Hollis, 1785 ; member of 
the New Hampshire Council. 

Great-grandson of JONATHAN POOLE (1758-1797), 
Hollis, New Hampshire ; Surgeon's Mate in Colonel Cilley's 
First New Hampshire Continental Regiment, 1777-1779; at 
Ticonderoga, Saratoga and Bemis Heights, New York and Ger- 
mantown, Pennsylvania. 

Great-great grandson of ELEAZAR FLAGG POOLE 
(1734-1776), Woburn, Massachusetts. He was offered a com- 
mission in the British Army, the letter in the name of the King 
being preserved in the Woburn Public Library ; he declined the 
offer and enlisted in Captain Jesse Wyman's Company of Min- 
ute-men for eight months ; was at Concord, Lexington, Bunker 
Hill and the Siege of Boston ; died 17 March, 1776, the day of 
the British evacuation of Boston. 



CHENEY, FRED AUGUSTINE ...... Chelsea 

National No. 11,152; State No. 1627; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 February, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 18 
February, 1898; Director, 1900- 

Great-grandson of JOHN CHENEY (1740-1831), Newton 
and Dunstable, Massachusetts, Second Lieutenant in Captain 
Asahel Wheeler's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's, (Massa- 
chusetts) Regiment; at Ticonderoga, 1776; tried by Court- 
martial 2 November, 1776, charged with disobedience of orders, 
found Not Guilty and acquitted. The powder-horn belonging to 
Lieutenant John Cheney and carried by him through the French 
and Indian and the Revolutionary Wars, is in possession of 



IRegister. 73 

his great-grandson, Lieutenant Fred Augustine Chen< 
bears the inscription ; " John Cheney, his horn ; Cape Breton, 
taken July, 175S," and is carved also with figures of animals, fish 
and weapons. 



CHURCHILL, THOMAS LORING Chelsea 

National No. 4861 ; State No. 461 j admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R.; 4 July, 1891 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization; deceased 17 December, 1900. 

Great-grandson of JAMES CHURCHILL, Plympton, 
Massachusetts ; Sergeant of the Plympton Company of Minute- 
men which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, to 
Marshfield, against a company of British regular troops under 
Captain Balfour, stationed there for the protection of the Tories 
of that vicinity ; Lieutenant in Captain Jesse Harlow's Com- 
pany, in Colonel Gooding's Regiment ; commissioned 16 Janu- 
uary, 1776, also from 29 February to 31 May, 1776, 3 months 
stationed at Plympton ; Captain of a Company in Colonel Cush- 
ing's Regiment, and served through the War ; for many years 
Town Clerk of Plympton. 

Great-great grandson of THOMAS LORING, Plympton, 
Massachusetts, Captain of the Plympton Company of Minute- 
men, which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, to 
Marshfield, against Captain Balfour's Company of British Regu- 
lars, stationed there for the protection of the Tories of that 
vicinity ; Captain in the Continental Army. 

Great-grandson of EZEKIEL LORING, Plympton, Massa- 
chusetts ; Private in the Plympton Company of Minute men, 
which marched to Marshfield on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 
1775, against Captain Balfour's Company of British Regulars, 
stationed there for the protection of the Tories of that vicinity ; 
Second Lieutenant in the Third Company, Captain Sampson, of 
the First Plymouth County Militia Regiment, June, 1776. 



74 ©15 Suffolk Cbaptcr. 

CLOUGH, JOHN STOCKMAN Chelsea 

National No. 10,444; State No. 1494; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 June, 1S97; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 11 
June, 1897. 

Great-grandson of EZEKIEL WORTHEN (i 746-1803), 
Kensington, New Hampshire, Engineer in building Forts Wash- 
ington and Sullivan at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1775 ; 
Lieutenant in Captain Samuel McConnell's Company, Colonel 
David Gilman's Regiment, raised to reinforce the Continental 
Army at New York ; entered service 5 December, 1776 ; served 
three months and eleven days ; Captain in Colonel Stephen Pea- 
body's Regiment, raised in 1778 for an expedition to Rhode 
Island; entered service 13 March, 1778, discharged 6 January, 
1779; Captain in Colonel Mooney's Regiment and acted as Pay- 
master, 1779. 

Great-grandson of JOSEPH STOCKMAN (1739-1821), 
Salisbury, Massachusetts, Lieutenant of the sloop, " Tyranni- 
cide," Captain James Fisk, commissioned by the Council of the 
Colony of Massachusetts Bay, " fixed and equipped by the Col- 
ony for the defence of America," 13 June, 1776 ; Captain of the 
schooner " Washington," equipped by the Colony " for the 
defence of America," commissioned by the Council 26 March, 
1776, "the sixteenth year of the reign of George III." 

CRAFTS, EDWIN CURTIS Chelsea 

National No. 11,861 ; State No. 1711 ; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 October, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 24 
October, 1898. 

Great-grandson of BENJAMIN CRAFTS (1738-1S23), 
Manchester, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Sergeant in Captain 
A. Marsters's Company, which marched from Manchester on the 
Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; Ensign in Captain Benjamin 
Kimball's and Captain Enoch Putnam's Company, Colonel Mans- 



Register. 75 

fiel ! a id Lieutenant Colonel Hutchinson's (19th) Regiment, also 
Second Lieutenant of Kimball's Company of the Continental 
Army ; at Winter Hill during the Siege of Boston ; discharged 
15 November, 1775, owing to the situation of his family in a sea- 
port town, as stated in a petition to General Washington. He 
returned to his home in Manchester, where he furnished one 
hundred pairs of shoes per month to the Army, being a cord- 
wainer by trade. While in the Army, Lieutenant Crafts kept a 
journal of the Siege of Boston, published by the Essex Institute, 
Salem, Massachusetts, in volume III. of its "Historical Collec- 
tions." 



CRANDON, EDWIN SANFORD Boston 

National No. 9S31; State No. 1381; admitted to the Massachusetts 
ty, S. A. K., 3 February, 1S97; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization; Secretary-Treasurer, 1S97-1900; President, 19CO. 

Great-great grandson of THOMAS CRANDON (1728- 
1821), Dartmouth, Massachusetts, member of the Comn li 
Safety of the Town of Dartmouth, chosen 7 January, 1775, to be 
continued in service "until the Acts or parts of Acts mentioned 
in the Continental Congress Association Agreement be re- 
pealed ; " Captain of a Company raised in Dartmouth for sea- 
coast defence, enlisted 15 July, 1775, served five months and 
nineteen days; Captain in the Fifth Company of the 
Bristol County Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, commis 
10 August, 1779; chosen at the Town Meeting in Man h 
as one of the Committee of five to supply the soldiers' families 
during the ensuing year ; Captain in Colonel John Hathaway s 
Regiment on service in Rhode Island, six days from 2 August, 
1780. He was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and married 
therein 1751, removing to that part of the old Town of Dart- 
mouth now called Acushnet in 1769. 



76 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

Great-great-great grandson of LEMUEL SIMMONS 
(1749- ), Duxbury, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; Sergeant 
in Captain Samuel Bradford's Company, Colonel Warren's Reg- 
iment, which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, 
from Duxbury against a company of British regular troops under 
Captain Balfour, stationed at Marshfield for the protection of the 
Tories of that vicinity ; served three days ; Sergeant in Captain 
Bildad Arnold's Company, Colonel Thomas Lothrop's (Plymouth 
County) Regiment, fifteen days service in Rhode Island on the 
Alarm of 10 December, 1776; Second Lieutenant in the Second 
Company of the First Plymouth County Regiment, Colonel The- 
ophilus Cotton, commissioned 28 October, 1778; Second Lieu- 
tenant in Captain Calvin Partridge's Company, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Samuel Pierce's Plymouth County Regiment, on service 
in Rhode Island, stationed at Little Compton ; served one month 
and eighteen days. 

Great-great grandson of THOMAS FAUNCE (1745- ), 
Plymouth, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain 
Abraham Hammatt's Company which marched from Plymouth 
on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, against a company of 
British Regular troops under Captain Balfour, stationed at 
Marshfield for the protection of the Tories of that vicinity ; 
served eleven days ; Private in Captain Thomas Mayhew's Com- 
pany, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's (Plymouth County) Regi- 
ment, enlisted 1 May, 1775, for eight months' service in the 
neighborhood of Boston, in connection with the Siege and 
appears on the Company return dated 7 October, 1775. 

Great-great grandson of TIMOTHY CHUBBUCK (1750- 

), Wareham, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Cap- 
tain Israel Fearing's Company which marched from Wareham 
on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, against a Company of 
British regular troops under Captain Balfour, stationed at Marsh- 
field for the protection of the Tories of that vicinity ; served 
four days. 



IRcfltster. 77 

CRANDON, JOHN HOWLAND Chelsea 

National No. 11,033; - s tate No. 1608; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 January, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 21 
January, 1898. 

Great-grandson of THOMAS CRANDON (1728-1821), 
Dartmouth, Massachusetts, member of the Committee of Safety 
of the Town of Dartmouth, chosen 7 January, 1775, to be con- 
tinued in service "until the Acts or parts of Acts mentioned in 
the Continental Congress Association Agreement be repealed ; " 
Captain of a Company raised in Dartmouth for sea-coast defence, 
enlisted 15 July, 1775, served five months and nineteen days; 
Captain in the Fifth Company of the Second Bristol County 
Regiment of Massachusetts Militia, commissioned 10 August, 
1779; chosen at the Town Meeting in March, 1780, as on 
the Committee of five to supply the soldiers' families during the 
ensuing year ; Captain in Colonel John Hathaway's Regiment 
on service in Rhode Island, six days from 2 August, 17S0. He 
was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and married there, 175 1, 
removing to that part of the old Town of Dartmouth now called 
Acushnet in 1769. 

Great-great grandson of LEMUEL SIMMONS (1749- 
), Duxbury, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Sergeant in 
Captain Samuel Bradford's Company, Colonel Warren's R 
ment, which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, 
from Duxbury against a company of British regular troops under 
Captain Balfour, stationed at Marshfield for the protection of 
the Tories of that vicinity ; served three days ; Sergeant in Cap- 
tain Bildad Arnold's Company, Colonel Thomas Lothrop's 
(Plymouth County) Regiment, fifteen days' service in Rhode 
Island on the Alarm of 10 December, 1776; Second Lieutenant 
in the Second Company of the First Plymouth County Regi- 
ment, Colonel Theophilus Cotton, commissioned 28 October, 
1778; Second Lieutenant in Captain Calvin Partridge's Com- 
pany, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Pierce's (Plymouth County) 
Regiment, on service in Rhode Island, stationed at Little Comp- 
ton ; served one month ami eighteen da) 



78 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

DOW, FRANK HENRY Revere 

National No. 10,219; State No. 1469; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 May, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 17 Sep- 
tember, 1897; Director, 1899-1900. 

Great-grandson of THOMAS RICHARDSON (1747- 
), Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Enlisted 14 May, 1777, in 
Captain Danforth's Company, Colonel Nixon's Regiment ; served 
to 31 December, 1779; Private in the Continental Army; 
enlisted from Captain J. Baldwin's Company, Middlesex County 
Regiment, on a return dated Billerica 16 February, 1778 ; cred- 
ited as belonging to Tewksbury. 



DROWNE, ALBERT HENRY Revere 

National No. 10,220; State No. 1470 ; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 May, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 15 
October, 1900. 

Grandson of NATHANIEL DROWNE (1740-1817), 
Rehoboth, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Stephen Richard- 
son's Company, Colonel George Williams's Regiment which 
marched from Attleborough on a secret expedition ; served one 
month and six days, September-October, 1777 ; Private in Cap- 
tain Nathaniel Heath's Company, Colonel Jonathan Reed's Reg- 
iment, which served three months and two days, April-July, 
1778, as guards at Cambridge; Private in Lieutenant John Dix's 
Company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's Regiment, which served seven 
days in July, 1778, as guards at Fort No. 2, at Cambridge. 

Grandson of ASAHEL CARPENTER (1731-1809), Re- 
hoboth, Massachusetts, Private in Lieutenant Samuel Brown's 
Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's Regiment, which marched 
from Rehoboth to Tiverton, Rhode Island, on the Alarm of 1 
August, 1780 and served under General Heath, six days. 



Register. 70 

DUNCAN, JAMES LEWIS Chelsea 

National No. 9N47 : Matt- No. 1397; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 5 March, 1S97; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization. 

Great-grandson of HENJAMIN PIERCE (1761-1847), 

Westmoreland, New Hampshire, Private in Captain K. Carlton's 
Company, Colonel Moses Nichols's Regiment, which marched 
22 July, 1777; Private in Captain N. Houghton's Company, 
Colonel Nichols's Regiment, raised by the State of New I lamp 
shire, and joined the Continental Army at West Point, 1780 ; he 
was drafted into the militia when a boy, from Westmoreland, 
New Hampshire, to go to the Battle of Bennington ; one of the 
guards over the British prisoners, and resisted an attempted night 
escape from the Church where the prisoners were confined; 
drafted again and served under Arnold, being at West Point at 
the time of Arnold's treason ; when paid, the depreciation in 
Continental money was so great that his pay barely sufficed to 
purchase a breakfast. 



DUNHAM, GEORGE HERBERT Chelsea 

National No. 11,524; State No. 1699; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., I July, 189S ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 19 Sep- 
tember, 189S. 

Great-grandson of ASA DUNHAM, Plymouth County, 
Massachusetts, Private in Captain Calvin Partridge's Company, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Pierce's Regiment, on Rhode Island 
Service, 19 May, 1779; Private in Captain Jesse Harlow's Com- 
pany on sea-coast defence, 29 February, 1776-31 May, 1776, 
stationed at Plymouth and Bristol ; Private in Lieutenant Francis 
Shurtleff's Company, Colonel Lothrop's Plymouth Counts Regi- 
ment, on Rhode Island Alarm, 1 1 December, 1776. In a list of 
men raised in Plymouth County for the term ot nine months 
from their arrival at Fishkill (arrived at Fishkill 10 June 1778.) 



So ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

Returned as received of Jonathan Warner, commanded by Col- 
onel Rufus Putnam 20 July, 1778, engaged for the Town of 
Plympton. 

Great-grandson of EDMUND CHASE, Newbury, Massa- 
chusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain Moses Little's Com- 
pany on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; Private in Cap- 
tain Nathaniel Marsh's Company, Colonel Gage's Regiment. 



ENDICOTT, EUGENE FRANCIS Chelsea 

National No. 5296; State No. 896; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R.; 21 May 1895; Member of the Board of Managers. 
1897-1900; charter member of Old Suffolk Chapter; First Vice- 
President, 1 897- 1 900. 

Great-grandson of JAMES ENDICOTT (1738-1799), 
Stoughton, Massachusetts, Captain in Colonel Robinson's Regi- 
ment at the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; Captain in Col- 
onel Gill's Regiment, 4 March, 1776, at the Siege of Boston ; 
Captain in the Third Suffolk County Regiment, 23 March, 1776 ; 
Ordered to Moon Island, June, 1776, when the British fleet was 
driven out of Boston Harbor ; Captain in Colonel Ephraim 
Wheelock's Regiment, at Ticonderoga, 1 1 September-16 Novem- 
ber, 1776, Captain in Colonel William Mcintosh's Regiment, at 
Roxbury, 20 March-5 April, 1778. 



FAUNCE, CHARLES HENRY Chelsea 

National No. 10,447; State No. 1497; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 June, 1S97; joined Old Suffolk Chapter II June, 
1897. 

Great-grandson of JAMES FAUNCE (1744-1782), Plymp- 
ton, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Nathaniel Goodwin's 
Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's (Plymouth County) Reg- 
iment, enlisted 25 September, 1777; served one month and six 
days on a secret expedition to Newport, Rhode Island. 



"Kcfltster. 8 1 

FAUNCE, ELMON CROCKER Chelsea 

National No, 10,762; State No. 1562; admitted to tbi Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., I October, 1897; joined Old Sullolk Chapter 27 
March, 1899. 

Great-grandson of JAMES FAUNCE (1744-1782), Plymp- 
ton, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Nathaniel Goodwin's 
Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's (Plymouth County) Regi- 
ment, enlisted 25 September, 1777; served one month and six 
days on a secret expedition to Newport, Rhode Island. 



FENNO, WARREN Revere 

National No. 10,443; State No. 1493; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 June. 1897; joined (lid Suffolk Chapter 11 
June, 1S97; Director, 1899-1900; Second Vice -President, 1900- 

Great-great grandson of SAMUEL SPRAGUE (1712- 
1783), Chelsea, Massachusetts, Captain of the Chelsea Minute- 
men on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; Captain in service 
during the Siege of Boston, serving three months, five days from 
4 May, 1775. 

Great-great grandson of JAMES ST< >WERS (1742-1816), 
Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain 
Samuel Sprague's Chelsea Company, which marched on the 
Lexington Alarm, [9 April, 1775; discharged 16 May, 1775; 
served one month ; Second Lieutenant in Captain Samuel 
Clark's Company, Suffolk County Regiment of Militia, commis- 
sioned 5 February, 1777. 

Great-grandson of JONATHAN WILLIAMS (1 745-1794), 
Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Sergeant in I 
Samuel Sprague's Chelsea Company which marched on the Lex- 
ington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; served 15 days; First Lieuten- 
ant in Captain Samuel Clark's Company, Suffolk County Regi- 
ment of Militia, commissioned 5 February, 1777. 



82 ©15 Suffolk Cbapter. 

Great-great grandson of JOHN TEWKSBURY, Senior 
( I 73S- I 8i6), Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; Private in 
Captain Samuel Sprague's Company ; one of the guards at Pullin 
Point from 19 April to 16 May, 1775 ; served one month. 

Great-grandson of JOHN TEWKSBURY, Junior (175S- 
1822), Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; Private in Cap- 
tain Samuel Sprague's Company ; one of the guards at Pullin 
Point from 19 April to 16 May, 1775 ; served one month. 



FIELD, VERNON ASHLEY Chelsea 

National No. 13,604; State No. 1904; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 7 December, 1900; joined Old Suffolk 
Chapter 31 December, 1900. 

Great-great grandson of JOSEPH FIELD (1714-1777), 
Braintree, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain 
John Hall, Junior's Company of the North Parish of Braintree, 
Colonel Benjamin Lincoln's Regiment, which assembled on the 
Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; served three and one-half 
days ; also served on the 29th April ; Corporal in Captain Edmund 
Billings's Company of the North precinct of Braintree, Colonel 
Jonathan Bass's Regiment and served five days ; the company 
assembled 13 June, 1776, to drive the British ships from Boston 
harbor. 

Great-great grandson of NATHANIEL FORD, Milton, 
Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain Ebenczer 
Tucker's Milton Company, which marched on the Lexington 
Alarm, 19 April, 1775, and served six days ; also Private in Cap- 
tain Josiah Vose's Milton Company, serving twelve days from 
13 April to 26 April, 1776, in sea-coast defence. 



■Refltster. 83 

FLOYD, DAVID Winthrop 

National No. 10,172; State No. 1447; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 16 April, 1897 ; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter at organization; Second Vice-1'resident, 1897-1900. 

Great-great grandson of ANDREW TEWKSBURY, 
(1739-1S14), Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; in the 
Company of seventeen men from Captain Samuel Sprague's 
Company, " that keept Guard at Pullin Point in Chelsea by order 
of Capt. Saml. Sprague, from April 19, 1775 till Discharged by 
there officer;" served 19 April-16 May, 1775. 

Great-grandson of JOHN TEWKSBURY (1735-1816), 
Chelsea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; one of the Guard at 
Pullin Point, from 19 April, 1775, one month, by order of Captain 
Samuel Sprague of the Chelsea Company. 



FOLLANSBEE, THOMAS UPHAM .... Chelsea 

National No. 11,316; State No. 1666; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R.. 1 April, 189S; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 
15 April, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of WILLIAM SMITH, (1750- ), 
Gloucester, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Daniel Giddings's 
Company, Colonel Foster's Regiment, enlisted 29 February, 
1776; served three months in sea-coast defence at Gloucester; 
again served on same duty ten days from 1 June, 1776 and two 
months, eighteen days from 1 September, 1776; Captain of 
Marines on ship " Tartar ; " taken prisoner and sent from I tali- 
fax, Nova Scotia to Boston in the cartel " Swift " 9 November, 
1777 ; First Lieutenant of the schooner " Medium " on petition 
dated Boston, 21 November, 1781. 



84 ©l& Suffolk Cbapter. 

GODDARD, CHARLES ELIOT . . . East Somerville 

National No. 11,035; State No. 1610; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., January, 1898 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 
21 January, 1S98; resigned, on removal from Chelsea, 26 June, 
1899. 

Great-great grandson of LEMUEL SIMMONS. (See 
above, under Crandon, Edwin S. and John H.) 

GOOGINS, FRANCIS JAMES Hyde Park 

National No. 13,605; State No. 1905 ; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 7 December, 1900 ; joined Old Suffolk 
Chapter 31 December, 1900. 

Great great grandson of PHINEHAS BUTLER (1732- 
1806), Framingham, Massachusetts, enlisted from Sudbury, 
Massachusetts, and served from September, 1776, through the 
year ; Corporal in Captain Micajah Gleason's Company, Colonel 
Thomas Nixon's (Fourth) Regiment ; enlisted into the Conti- 
nental Army from Captain Moulton's Company, Colonel Ezekiel 
Howe's (Fourth) Middlesex County Regiment ; served also in 
Captain Toogood's Company of Colonel Nixon's Regiment ; Cor- 
poral in Captain John Holden's Company, same Regiment 
(Sixth) from 25 March, 1777, to 31 December, 1779; at High- 
lands 23 February, 1780; Private in Captain Peter Cloyes's 
Company, Colonel Nixon's Regiment, at West Point, 29 Janu- 
ary, 1781 ; discharged 1 September, 1782; a Pensioner, 1 Sep- 
tember, 1782. 

Great-grandson of PHINEHAS BUTLER, Jr., Sudbury, 
Massachusetts, Corporal of the First Company, Colonel Thomas 
Marshall's Regiment of the Continental Army, 3 January, 1777 
to 31 December, 1779, twenty-two months' service as Private, 
twenty-eight days as Corporal ; appointed Corporal 1 November j 
1777 ; mustered by Nathaniel Butler at Boston, 2 March, 1777, in 
Captain Samuel King's Company, Colonel Marshall's Regiment, 
and in the same Company at West Point, January-March, 1779. 



IRcGistcr. 85 

GOULD, JAMES Chelsea 

National No. i;,j.)i . State No. 1S90; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S, A. K.. 5 October, 1900; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter 15 October, 1900. 

it-grandson of AMOS TOWNE (1740-1797), Arundel, 
Maine, First Lieutenant in Captain John Elden's Company, Col- 
onel Lemuel Robinson's (York County, Maine) Regiment, com- 
missioned 21 February, 1776; Second Lieutenant in Captain 
Leighton's Company of the York County, Maine. Regiment, which 
marched to Dorchester and participated in the Siege of I 
being present at the fortification of Dorchester Heights, com- 
missioned by Council 14 August, 1776; remained in vicinity of 
Boston through the remainder of the year ; First Lieutenant in 
the Fourth Company of the Third York County Regiment, com- 
missioned 14 December, 1779; Lieutenant in Captain Daniel 
Clark's Company, Colonel Joseph Prime's York County Regi- 
ment, enlisted 21 April, 1780, discharged 8 December, 1780; 
served seven months and eighteen days; Regiment raised by 
resolve of 25 March, 1780, for defence of the Eastern part of the 
State. 



GREEN, THOMAS WILLIAM Chelsea 

National No. 8525; State No. 1025; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 17 October, 1S95 ; charter member of Old Suffolk 
Chapter, 1897. 

Great-grandson of ABRAHAM INGERSOLL (1754- 
lX 37), Waltham, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Grannis's 
Company, enlisted 6 July, 1775, discharged 31 December, 1775 ; 
at Cambridge when Washington took command of the American 
Army; served at the Elizabeth Islands; drafted 1 2 May, 1777; 
aarded stores at Boston, under General Heath; .1 Pen- 



86 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

GUILD, GEORGE BARNETT Chelsea 

National No. 11,037; State No. 1612; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 7 January, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter 21 January, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of JOSEPH GUILD (1735-1794), 
Dedham, Massachusetts ; Captain of a Company of Dedham 
Minute-men, in Colonel Greaton's Regiment, on the Lexington 
Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; at Ticonderoga and Montreal ; Captain 
in Colonel William Heath's Regiment, 1775— 1776, at Roxbury 
Camp ; member of the Committee of Safety ; Muster Master, 
1775 ; on the Committee to make provision for families of non- 
commissioned officers and privates, 1777 ; member of the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, 1 780-1 781 of 
Dedham. 

HARRIS, ALFONSO SCOTT Boston 

National No. 693; State No. 92; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 1889; member of the Board of Managers, 1889- 
1891, 1892-1894; Secretary, 1891-1892; charter member Old 
Suffolk Chapter, 1897; Director, 1897-1900 

Great-grandson of DANIEL HARRIS (1752-1820), Fitch- 
burg, Massachusetts, volunteered at the Lexington Alarm, 19 
April, 1775 ; in Captain Fuller's Company, Colonel Asa Whit- 
comb's Regiment, and was at Bunker Hill and the Siege of Bos- 
ton; enlisted in 1776, in Captain William Warner's Company, 
Colonel Whitney's Regiment ; served at Nantucket and assisted 
in the capture of four British transport ships ; again enlisted 1 
April, 1777, as an artificer in Captain Seth Oak's Company, and 
was at Brandy wine and Germantown ; again enlisted in 1778; 
Sergeant in Captain Ephraim Stearns's Company, Colonel Ezra 
Wood's Regiment; again enlisted in 1779 in Captain Thomas 
Cowden's Company, and in 1780 in Captain Timothy Boutelle's 
Company ; at West Point at the time of Arnold's treason ; total 
service, three years and eight months. 



Register. 87 

Great-grandson of JOSHUA TOWNE (1756-1842), Tops- 
field, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Baker's Company, Col- 
onel Little's Regiment, at Bunkei 11 ill and the Siege of Boston; 
Private, Captain Dodge's Company, Colonel Titcomb's Regi- 
ment, 5 April, 1777, serving two months in Rhode Island ; Pri- 
vate, Captain Adams's Company, Colonel Johnson's Regiment, 
27 August, 1777 ; served three months in the northern Army at 
Ticonderosra. 



JENKS, FRED ARNOLD Chelsea 

National No. 11,040; State No. 1615; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society. S. A. R., 7 January, 189S; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 21 January. 1898; Secretary-Treasurer, 1900- 

Great-grandson of RICHARD BAGNELL (1752-1809), 
Plymouth, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Corporal in Captain 
Abraham Hammatt's Company, which marched on the Lexing- 
ton Alarm, 19 April, 1775, from Plymouth to Marshfield, against 
a company of British Regular troops under Captain Balfour, 
stationed there for the protection of the Tories of that vicinity ; 
served eleven days; enlisted 1 May, 1775, in Captain Mayhew's 
Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's (Plymouth County) Regi- 
ment, and served three months and eight days at the Siege of 
Boston ; Ensign in Colonel John Brooks's (late Colonel Ichabod 
Alden'si Seventh Massachusetts Regiment; Ensign in Captain 
Warren's Company, Colonel Alden's (Sixth) Massachusetts Reg- 
iment ; Lieutenant in Captain Aaron Holden's Company, Col- 
onel Brooks's Regiment, commissioned 16 September, 1780; 
Ensign Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, 1 January, 1777; 
Lieutenant, 1 July, 1779; served continuously from 19 April, 
1775, to 26 July, 1782. 

Great-grandson of EBENEZER SAMPSON (1764-1800), 
Plymouth, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Stephen Churchill's 
Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's Plymouth County Regi- 
ment, enlisted 8 March, 1 781, discharged 31 March, 1781 ; ser- 
vice in Rhode Island. 



88 ©It- Suffolk (Xbapter. 

LEEDS, CHARLES Chelsea 

National No. 7212; State No. 912; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 21 May, 1895; charter member of Old Suffolk 
Chapter, 1897; Director, 1897-98. 

Great-great grandson of SAMUEL LEEDS, Senior (1709- 
1778), Dorchester, Massachusetts. A Minute-man, serving as a 
Private seven days, on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, in 
Captain William Holden's Company, Colonel Robinson's Regi- 
ment, which marched under command of Lieutenant Preserved 
Baker; enlisted in 1777 and served three months, and again in 
1778 for seven days. 

Great-grandson of SAMUEL LEEDS, Junior (1745- ), 
Dorchester, Massachusetts, a Minute-man, serving as a Private 
twelve days in Lieutenant Hopestill Hall's (Second) Company 
on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; served in March, 1776, 
in Captain John Robinson's Company, Colonel Benjamin Gill's 
Regiment, guarding the lines near Dorchester Heights ; guard- 
ing the shores at the mouth of Milton River, thirteen days ; in 
Captain Seth Sumner's Company of the same Regiment, enlisted 
12 June, 1776, ordered to march to Moon Island, three days; in 
service at Castle Island in the same Company from 1 March to 
4 April, 1778. 

Great-grandson of ISAIAH FAXON (1734-1810), Brain- 
tree, Massachusetts ; Private in Captain John Vinton's Braintree 
Company, 28 December, 1775 ; re-enlisted in the same Com- 
pany, 3 May, 1776, serving eight months, eighteen days; 
enlisted in Captain Abner Crane's Company, 4 February, 1779, 
and served three months ; enlisted in Captain Eliphalet Thorp's 
Company, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Brooks's (Seventh) Regiment 
20 March, 1781 for three years ; in Captain Nathaniel C. Allen's 
(Eighth) Company, Fourth Massachusetts Regiment ; reported 
sick at New Windsor, July, 1783. 



Register. 

LEGG, CHARLES EDMUND Chelsea 

National No. 10,446; State No. 1496: admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society. S. A R., 4 June, 1S97; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 19 
June, 1S9;; Director, 1900 

Great-grandson of ELKANAH DYER (1758-1820), Lew 
iston, Maine ; Private in Captain Joshua Jordan's Company, Col- 
onel Jonathan Mitchell's (Massachusetts) Regiment, 7 July to 
25 September, 1779, on tne Penobscot Expedition. 



LITTLEFIELD, SETH JUDSON Chelsea 

National No. 8594; State No. 1094; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 10 December, 1895; charter member of Old 
Suffolk Chapter; Director, 1 897- 1 900. 

Great-grandson of JOHN LITTLEFIELD (1717- ), 
Wells, York County, Maine ; member of the Committee of Cor- 
respondence, 1773 ; Sergeant in the Wells Company, enlisted 3 
May, 1775 ; Major of the First Regiment of York County Militia, 
21 April, 1776; Lieutenant-Colonel of the same, 10 June, 1778; 
served at Ticonderoga and Valley Forge. Before the Revolu- 
tion he was a tavern keeper, a position of great respect in the 
community in olden days. He was appointed a memi> 
committee to draft resolutions bearing on the Boston Port Hill. 
In the "Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife " appears : 
" Littlefield's at Wells, 3 July, 1774 — Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Quincy 
and I came this morning from York before breakfast, fifteen 
miles, in order to hear my learned friend Hemmenway. Mr. 
Quincy brought me a letter from Williams, in which he lets me 
know that you and the family were well. This is refreshing 
news." On the 16th November, 1774, a congress of leading 
men of York County met at Littlefield's tavern to consider the 
matter of the Boston Port Bill. The following is the amount of 



90 ©l& Suffolk Cbapter. 

the stimulants which they took to nerve them for the responsible 
work which they had before them : 

7 boles of todday 

15 " " Brandy Punch 

49 men's dinners 

In January, 1775, John Littlefield was appointed a member 
of a committee to prepare instructions to guide the action of the 
delegates in Congress to be held at Cambridge in February, 1775. 

Grandson of DAVID LITTLEFIELD (1761-1835), Wells, 
Maine ; Private in Captain Daniel Wheelwright's Company, 
Colonel Francis's Regiment, enlisted 1 March, 1777, served eight 
months ; again enlisted in March, 1778, in Captain Preble's Com" 
pany, Colonel Gerrish's Massachusetts Regiment, and served 
three months ; a Pensioner. 



McCLINTOCK, WILLIAM EDWARD, . . . Chelsea 

National No. 11,682; State No. 1712; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 4 November, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 24 November, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of JOHN BAILEY (1733—1 81 3), 
Woolwich, Maine ; Captain in Colonel Michael Jackson's Regi- 
ment of the Continental Army ; enlisted 1 January, 1777 ; served 
five months, six days. 



McCLURE, JOHN Revere 

An "Actual Son;" National No. 72S ; State No. 127; a Charter- 
member of the Massachusetts Society, and an Honorary Member, 
19 April, 1889; Honorary Member of Old Suffolk Chapter, 17 
December, 1897; born at Antrim, N. H., 22 February, 1804; 
moved to Revere, 1840; deceased 8 February, 1898. 

Son of DAVID McCLURE, who at the age of eighteen 
years, served under General Stark at the Battle of Bennington, 
and also served through the Revolution. 



"Register. 91 

McLACHLAN, HENRY ALEXANDER . . . Chelsea 

National No. 11,851; State No. 1701; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 1 July 1898; joined OM Suffolk Chapter, 
19 September, 1898. 

Great-grandson of EPHRAIM A I.1.KY( 1755-1840), Booth- 
bay, Maine; Private in Captain Israel Da my, Colonel 

Joseph Fry's Regiment; marched 2 .April, 1776, and served at 
Boothbay to 5 December, 1776; Private in Lieutenant Nathaniel 
Winslow's Company from 5 December, 1776, to 31 December, 
1776, at Boothbay; enlisted in the Continental Army, Captain 
Andrew McFarland's Company, Third Lincoln County Regi- 
ment, 7 May, 1777: later in Colonel Edward Wigglesworth's 
Regiment of the Continental Army, from 1 March, 1777, to 31 
December, 1779; at Valley Forge, in Captain Israel Davis's 
Company, Colonel Wigglesworth's Regiment ; reported sick, 
May, 1778; at Greenwich and Providence, Rhode Island, June- 
October, 1778; in Lieutenant Christopher Woodbridge's Com- 
pany, March and April, 1779, transferred January, 1780, to Captain 
Daniel Pillsbury's light infantry Company, Colonel Smith's (late 
esworth's) Regiment of the Continental Army; served 
continuously from April, 1776, to March, 1780. A United 
States Pensioner, and had a grant of land for services from the 
State of Maine. 



MEACOM, COPLEY OSGOOD Chelsea 

National No. 13,607; State No. 1907; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 December, 1900; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
31 December, 1900. 

Great -great-great grandson of HENRY HERRICK (1716- 
1780), Beverly, Massachusetts, Representative to the General 
Court of Massachusetts for many years ; Member of the Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, 1773; a Minute-man; Lieutenant 



92 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

Colonel in Colonel Timothy Pickering, Junior's Regiment, which 
marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; served two 
days and marched forty-eight miles ; appointed by the House of 
Representatives 23 January, 1776, as Lieutenant-Colonel in Col- 
onel Isaac Smith's Essex County Regiment ; appointed, 8 Feb- 
ruary, 1776, Colonel of the Eighth (Essex County) Regiment of 
Massachusetts Militia ; served in the Siege of Boston ; reported 
commissioned 13 March, 1776; resigned 18 August, 1777, owing 
to old age (sixty-one years at the time) and infirmity ; resigna- 
tion accepted 26 September, 1777. 



MERRIAM, OTIS Chelsea 

National No. 10,602; State No. 1527; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 2 July 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 17 
September, 1897. 

Great-grandson of AMOS LAWRENCE (1748-1840), 
Westborough, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain 
Jonathan Gates's Company, Colonel John Whitcomb's Regi- 
ment, which marched from Ashburnham on the Lexington 
Alarm, 19 April, 1775. 



MITCHELL, GEORGE EDWIN Chelsea 

National No. 11,514; State No. 1689; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 6 May, 1S98 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 27 May, 
1898; Director, 1900- 

Great-grandson of SAMUEL BELCHER (1744-1812), 
Dorchester, Massachusetts, a Minute-man, serving two days as 
Private in Captain Oliver Billings's and Lieutenant Lemuel 
Clap's Company, Colonel Lemuel Robinson's Regiment, which 
assembled on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; Private in 
Captain Lemuel Clap's Company, Colonel Pierce's Regiment, 
which marched to Castle Island, 1 March, 1778; served one 
month, three days. 



"Ke0t8tcr. 93 

ODELL, WILLIAM HERICK LOVETT . . . Chelsea 

National No. 10,445; State No. 1495; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 June, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 11 
June, 1897. 

Great-great grandson of JOSEPH LOVETT, Second 
(1739-1819), Beverly, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; on the 
Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775, left his plough in the field, 
unhitched the oxen, leaving them to his son to drive home, took 
his gun and equipments and hurried to the place of assembly in 
the Beverly Meeting-house, where he joined his Company, Cap- 
tain Larkin Thorndike, and marched to Concord, serving two 
and one-half days ; Private in Captain John Low's Company, 
Colonels Hutchinson and Mansfield's Regiment, serving from 
12 May to 25 October, 1775; at the Battle of Bunker Hill; at 
Cambridge when General Washington took command of the 
American Army; stationed at Winter Hill during the Siege of 
Boston. 

Greatgreat grandson of JEREMIAH FOSTER (1750- 
1820), Beverly, Massachusetts, Corporal in Captain Joseph Rae's 
Company, enlisted 25 July, 1776, and served three months and 
three days on sea-coast defence, at Beverly, Massachusetts. 



PEIRCE, EDWIN FRANCIS Chelsea 

National No. 11,042; State No. 1617; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 7 January, 1S98; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter 21 January, 1898; Director, 1900- 

Great-grandson of JAMES WORK (1743-1783), Royal- 
ston, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Sergeant in Captain Jonas 
Allen's Company, Colonel Doolittle's Regiment, which marched 
from k -i the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 17;: 

ing twelve and one-half days ; at the Battle of Bunker Hill ; later 
a Lieutenant. 



94 ©l& Suffolft Cbapter. 

PEIRCE, HEMAN WINTHROP .... East Billerica 

National No. 9028 ; State No. 1253; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 8 May, 1896; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 
11 June, 1897; Honorary member, 21 June, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of JOHN PARKER (1729-1775), 
Lexington, Massachusetts, Captain of the Lexington Minute- 
men, 19 April, 1775. He was at the capture of Louisburg, 1758, 
and the taking of Quebec, 1 759, and was made a Sergeant in that 
War. He was made Captain of the Lexington Military Company 
in 1774, and at the age of sixty years was in command of his 
Company at the Battle of Lexington ; later in the day he again 
attacked the British at Lincoln; in May, 1775, he led forty-five men 
to Cambridge on order of the Provincial Congress, and served 
four days ; at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17 June, 1775, he com- 
manded sixty-nine men who guarded the " Neck." An old flint- 
lock gun carried by Captain Parker at the Battle of Lexington 
is at the State House, in the old Senate Chamber. 



PEIRCE, JOHN PAYSON Revere 

National No. 5078; State No. 678; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 1894; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 11 June, 1897; 
deceased 14 May, 1898. 

Great-grandson of CAPTAIN JOHN PARKER. (See 
under H. Winthrop Peirce, above.) 



PIERCE, ROSCOE Chelsea 

National No. 9850; State No. 1400 ; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 5 March, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization. 

Great-great grandson of EPHRAIM CHASE (1744-1836), 
Machias, Maine ; Seaman on the Sloop " Liberty " which cap- 



Register. 95 

tured the British tender " Margaretta " at the mouth of the 
Machias River, 1775, and on the same sloop when she assisted 
in capturing the " Tatmagouch " and the " Diligence," which 
had been fitted at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and entered Machias 
River for the purpose of retaking the " Margaretta ; " selected, 
with seven others, to bear despatches and convey the prisoners 
captured to Cambridge, which they accomplished, delivering the 
prisoners to General Washington ; commissioned Captain by 
Congress and ordered to the station at Machias River to defend 
the harbor and to supply the troops and Indians with food and 
clothing. Private in Captain Joseph Sevey's Company, Colonel 
Benjamin Foster's (Lincoln County) Regiment, enlisted 23 June, 
discharged 30 October, 1777. The Company was ordered out 
for defence of Machias when the ship " Ambuscade " came into 
the harbor. Enlisted 16 July, discharged 10 October, 1777, on 
an alarm, when the British ships lay in the harbor. Company 
reported to have served until relieved by Colonel Allen's forces. 
Captain of Schooner " Neashquowaite " in payroll of troops 
under Colonel John Allen, Superintendent of Indians, Eastern 
Department at Machias. Entered 1 December, 1779; dis- 
charged 24 May, 1780, on shore duty. 



PINGREE, JOHN EDSON Revere 

National So. 13,609; State No. 1909; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 7 December, 1900 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
31 December, 1900. 

Great-great grandson of STEPHEN PINGREE (IJ5-- 
1840), Methuen, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Jonathan 
Foster's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Wade's Massachusetts 
Regiment, enlisted i July, 1778, and served six months; a Pen- 
sioner, i*.}- 1 . 



96 <S>15 Suffolft Cbapter. 

PITCHER, FRED ABNER Chelsea 

National No. 13,620; State No. 1920; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 January, 1901; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 
21 January, 1901. 

Great-great grandson of WILLIAM FARNSWORTH 
(172 5- 1 806), Waldoboro, Maine; active in raising troops to 
defend the "District of Maine" ; and ordered commissioned by 
the Massachusetts Legislature, as Lieutenant-Colonel in Colonel 
Mason Wheeton's Regiment, 30 January, 1776; appointment 
concurred in by the Council, and commission granted, 8 Febru- 
ary, 1776. The Regiment was the Fourth Lincoln County ; and 
the Companies chose their non-commissioned officers, the list 
being returned and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Farnsworth, 
dated at St. George, Maine, 3 June, 1776. He was stationed at 
several points on the Maine coast and there are remains of old 
fortifications at the mouths of the St. George and Medomak 
Rivers which are said to have been built by him, or under his 
direction. 

Great-grandson of ROBERT FARNSWORTH (1765- 
), Waldoboro, Maine ; son of Lieutenant-Colonel William 
Farnsworth ; Private, entering the service at the age of fourteen 
years; served from 27 September, 177910 10 November, 1779, 
also from 6 March, 1780 to 6 September, 1780. His first ser- 
vice was at the mouth of the Penobscot River, Maine, probably 
in the forts at Castine ; his second service was with General 
Wadsworth for the defence of eastern Massachusetts. 



PRATT, HERMON WASHINGTON .... Chelsea 

National No. 10,603; State No. 1528; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 2 June, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter II 
June, 1897. 

Great-grandson of DANIEL PRATT, (1724-1803), Chel- 
sea, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Private in Captain Samuel 
Sprague's Chelsea Company, which marched on the Lexington 
Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; served to 16 May, 1775. 



IRctiister. 97 

PRICHARD, EDWARD AUGUSTUS .... Reading 

National No. 11,163; State No. 163S; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 4 February, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chap 
ter, 18 February, 1898. 

Great-grandson of WILLIAM PRICHARD (1759-1835), 
New Ipswich, New Hampshire. Private in Captain Isaac Far- 
well's Company, at first in Colonel Cilley's Regiment, later 
in Colonel John Stark's Regiment ; enlisted pursuant to orders 
received in April, 1777 to raise men to serve in the Continental 
Army ; enlisted to serve for three years, or the War. 



REED, CHARLES HENRY Chelsea 

National No. 13,622; State No. 1922; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R , 4 January, 1901 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 21 
January, 1901. 

Great-grandson of ELIHU REED (1756- ), Pepperell, 
Massachusetts, Private in Captain Nathaniel Lakin's Company, 
Colonel John Jacobs's light infantry Regiment for service in 
Rhode Island; enlisted 16 September, 1779; discharged 19 
November, 1779; served two months and three days. 



RICH, OBADIAH Chelsea 

National No. 11,502; State No. 1677; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., I April, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 15 
April, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of DANIEL FORBES (1710-1 
Westborough, Massachusetts, member of the Committee of Cor- 
respondence from Westborough, 1774; Representative to the 
Massachusetts General Court from Westborough, 1777. 



98 ©lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

RIVERS, CHARLES CHURCH Boston 

National No. 10,159; State No. 1434; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 2 April, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter at 
organization. 

Great-grandson of SETH VOSE (1733- ), Eastern 
Maine; Sergeant in Captain Starret's Company, Colonel Mason 
Wheaton's Regiment; enlisted 2 July, 1779; served four days 
in the Eastern Department, at Camden. 



SLEEPER, GEORGE THORNDIKE .... Winthrop 

National No. 11,857 ; State No. 1707; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 2 September, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
19 September, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of DANIEL CLARY, New Ipswich, 
New Hampshire ; on the receipt of the news of the Battle of 
Lexington he marched from New Ipswich on the morning of 20 
April, 1775, to Cambridge, serving six days ; Private in Captain 
Samuel Atkinson's Company, stationed at Haverhill, New Hamp- 
shire, under direction of the Committee appointed 1 Decem- 
ber, 1776, serving two months, twenty-seven days; Private in 
Captain Josiah Brown's Company, Colonel Enoch Haler's Regi- 
ment, which marched to Ticonderoga to reinforce the Conti- 
nental Army, 6 May, 1777, marching three hundred miles and 
serving forty-eight days ; a Pensioner. 

Great-great grandson of REUBEN MORSE (1742-1810), 
Dublin, New Hampshire, Ensign in Colonel Moses Nichols's 
Regiment, General Stark's Brigade, 18 July-27 September, 1777, 
at the Battles of Bennington, Stillwater and Ticonderoga ; mem- 
ber of the New Hampshire Legislature, 1790. • 



■Register. 99 

SNOW, ELMER HEMAN Chelsea 

National No. 11,552; State No. 1697; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. K., 3 June, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter 21 
June, 1898. 

Great-grandson of DAVID TAYLOR ( ), East- 

ham and Orleans, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Elihu Gif- 
ford's Company, Colonel Turner's Regiment, raised from Barn- 
stable and Bristol Counties, Massachusetts, under Resolve of 16 
June, 1 78 1, for service in Rhode Island on an Alarm ; enlisted 
19 July, 1781 ; served four months, eight days; the "History of 
Eastham," Pratt, says, that with three others he was sent by the 
Town in 178 1 for service in Rhode Island, and was paid twelve 
bushels of corn and two silver dollars a month for expenses. 

Great-great grandson of EDMUND HIGGINS (1740- 
1792), Eastham, Massachusetts, Private in Lieutenant Samuel 
Knowles's Co I ijor Zenas Winslow's Regiment ; enlisted 

6 September, 1778; served six days; marched to Falmouth and 
New Bedford on an Alarm. 

Great-great grandson of A M< )S KNOWLES, Junior (1730- 
1796), Eastham, M on the Patriotic Committee, 

1774 ; a leader in getting the civil officers to resign at the out- 
break of hostilities, Representative to the Genera! Court, 1775- 
j6; on the Committee of Safety and Correspondence for Barn- 
stable County, 1775 ; appointed agent to make a draft and to 
purchase supplies for the troops ; Delegate from Eastham to 
the Provincial Congress, 1777. 

Great-great -great grandson ot SOL< »M< >N PEPPER (1703- 
1786), Eastham, Massachusetts, Captain of the (Third) Eastham 
Company in the Second Barnstable County Regiment ; later 
Major in the same Regiment ; Representative to the General 
Court, 1777; Delegate to the Provincial Congress, 1777; active 
in the agitation of American resistance and in the carrying on of 
the War. 

Lore. 



ioo ©16 Suffolfe Cbapter. 

SNOW, FREDERICK WARREN Chelsea 

National No. 13,621; State No. 1921 ; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 4 January, 1901 ; joined Old Suffolk 
Chapter 21 January, 1901. 

Great-grandson of DAVID TAYLOR ( ), East- 

ham and Orleans, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Elihu Gif- 
ford's Company, Colonel Turner's Regiment, raised from Barn- 
stable and Bristol Counties, Massachusetts, under Resolve of 16 
June, 1 781, for service in Rhode Island on an Alarm ; enlisted 
19 July, 1781 ; served four months, eight days; the " History of 
Eastham," Pratt, says, that with three others he was sent by the 
Town in 1781 for service in Rhode Island, and was paid twelve 
bushels of corn and two silver dollars a month for expenses. 

Great-great grandson of EDMUND HIGGINS (1740- 
1792), Eastham, Massachusetts, Private in Lieutenant Samuel 
Knowles's Company, Major Zenas Winslow's Regiment ; enlisted 
6 September, 1778 ; served six days ; marched to Falmouth and 
New Bedford on an Alarm. 

Great-great grandson of AMOS KNOWLES, Junior (1730- 
1796), Eastham, Massachusetts, on the Patriotic Committee, 
1774; a leader in getting the civil officers to resign at the out- 
break of hostilities; Representative to the General Court, 1775— 
j6 ; on the Committee of Safety and Correspondence for Barn- 
stable County, 1775 ; appointed agent to make a draft and to 
purchase supplies for the troops ; Delegate from Eastham to the 
Provincial Congress, 1777. 

Great-great-great grandson of SOLOMON PEPPER (1703- 
1786), Eastham, Massachusetts, Captain of the (Third) Eastham 
Company in the Second Barnstable County Regiment ; later 
Major in the same Regiment ; Representative to the General 
Court, 1777; Delegate to the Provincial Congress, 1777; active 
in the agitation of American resistance and in the carrying on of 
the War. 



■Register. 101 

SPAVIN, HENRY Revere 

National No. 10,44s ; State No. 1498; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. K., 4 June, 1897 ; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 11 June, 1897. 

Great -great grandson of SAMUEL SPRAGUE (1712- 
1783), Chelsea, Massachusetts; Captain of the Chelsea Minute- 
men; marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775; enlisted 
in the Massachusetts Militia, 4 May, 1775, and served three 
months, five days. 



STEARNS, GEORGE MYRON Chelsea 

National No. 9372; State No. 1347; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 December, 1896 ; Charter member of Old 
Suffolk Chapter, 1897. 

Great-grandson of JONATHAN STEARNS (1750- ), 
Waltham, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Abraham Peirce's 
Company, Colonel Samuel Thatcher's Regiment ; enlisted 4 
March, 1776 ; served four days, the Company marching by order 
of General Washington on taking possession of Dorchester 
Heights. 

Great-grandson of JOSEPH MORSE ( - ), New- 
ton, Massachusetts, Private in the Third Company, Colonel 
Marshall's Regiment, of the Continental Army ; served from 14 
May, 1777, to 7 March, 1778. 

Great-great grandson of PHINEAS BOND (1724- ), 
Newton, Massachusetts, a Minute-man, 19 April, 1775, in Cap- 
tain Amariah Fuller's Company ; at Prospect Hill, 29 October, 
1775, in Captain Nathan Fuller's Company, Lieutenant-Colonel 
William Bond's (late Gardner's) Thirty-seventh Regiment ; in 
Captain Joseph Fuller's Company, Colonel Samuel Bradford's 
Regiment, 20 August-29 November, 1777, at Stillwater. 



102 ®lo Suffolk Cbapter. 

SWAN, WILLIAM LOCKE Chelsea 

National No. 10,755; State No. 1555; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 3 September, 1897; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
21 January, 1898. 

Great-great grandson of WILLIAM SWAN (1737- ), 
Cambridge, Massachusetts and Woodstock, Maine ; Private in 
the First Militia Company of Woburn, Massachusetts, Captain 
Josiah Johnson, 30 April, 1775. 

Great-great grandson of JAMES LOCKE (1729-1808), 
Townsend, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Second-Lieutenant 
in Captain James Hosley's Company, Colonel William Prescott's 
Regiment, which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 
1775, from Townsend to Cambridge; discharged 7 May, 1775; 
served twenty-one days. 

Great-grandson of JOHN NO YES (1 754-1 836), Bridge- 
water, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Josiah Hayden's Com- 
pany, Colonel John Thomas's Regiment, enlisted 19 April, 1775, 
and served through the Siege of Boston. In all he served eight 
months, part of the time under Colonel Bailey ; a Pensioner. 

Great-great grandson of WILLIAM RUSSELL (1737- 

), Littleton, Massachusetts, Private in Captain John Minot's 
Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's Regiment, service in Rhode 
Island, enlisted 10 May, 1777, discharged 9 July, 1777, served 
two months, nine days ; also Private in Captain Aaron Jewett's 
Company, Colonel Samuel Bullard's Regiment, enlisted 15 
August, 1777, discharged 29 November, 1777, served three 
months, twenty-six days, marching to Saratoga, New York. 

Great-grandson of STEPHEN SIMMONS, Waldoboro, 
Maine ; born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, and died at Waldoboro 
prior to 1 1 February, 1795 ; Private in a light infantry company 
in Colonel Henry Jackson's Regiment, enlisted 2 June, 1777 ; 
served to 31 December, 1779; enlisted again, 1 January, 1780 
in Captain Scott's light infantry Company, Colonel Henry Jack- 
son's Regiment and served to 2 June, 1780; in camp at Provi- 
dence at the end of 1779. Appears on the roll of Captain 
Jarvis's Company, Colonel Jackson's Regiment, in camp at 
Providence, 9 September, 1778, for service from 30 June to 1 
September, 1778. 



"Rctiister. 103 

TAPLEY, GEORGE ARTHUR Revere 

National No. 13,026; State No. 1876; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 1 June, 1900; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 27 
I une, 1900. 

Great-grandson of ELIPHALET THORP (1738-1812), 
Dedham, Massachusetts, a Minute-man ; Sergeant in a Company 
which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 1775 ; Ser- 
geant in Captain Guild's Company, Colonel Heath's Regiment, 
enlisted 30 April, 1775 ; Lieutenant in Colonel Brooks's Regi- 
ment of the Continental Army from 1 January, 1 j~j to 3 1 Decem- 
ber, 1779; commissioned Captain in Colonel Brooks's Regiment 
of the Continental Army, 16 September, 1780 ; Captain of the 
Sixth Company of the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel John Brooks, 1781 ; Captain of the Fourth Com- 
pany, Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel 
John Brooks, to June, 1783. 

Great-grandson of PHILAMON MUNROE (1753-1806), 
Lexington, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Benjamin Blaney's 
Company, Colonel Eleazer Brooks's Regiment, serving twenty- 
two days from 12 January to 3 February, 1778, as guard at 
Cambridge ; also Private in Captain John Walton's Company, 
Colonel Brooks's Regiment from the 4th to the nth September, 
1778, six days. 



TENNEY, SAMUEL PARCHER - Chelsea 

National No. II, 166; State No. 1641 j admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R.,4 February, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 18 February, 1898; Director, 1898 — 1900; First Vice-President, 
1900- 

Great-great grandson of JOSEPH HOIT (i 717-1789), 
Stratham, New Hampshire ; a member of the Third Provincial 
Congress, held at Exeter, New Hampshire, 21 April, 1775. 



104 ©l& Suffolk Cbapter. 

TENNEY, WALLACE FAY Chelsea 

National No. 11,306; State No. 1656; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 4 March, 1898; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
18 March, 1898; resigned 26 June, 1899. 

Great-great-great grandson of JOSEPH HOIT (see under 
Tenney, Samuel P.) 

TOWNE, GEORGE MOODY Chelsea 

National No. 13,623; State No. 1923; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 4 January, 1901 ; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 21 January, 1901. 

Grandson of ANDREW STIMPSON, Charlestown, Mas- 
sachusetts, Private in Captain John Walton's Company for eight 
days' service from 4 September, 1778, and the following month 
served at Cambridge; again enlisted 31 July, 17S0, in Captain 
Frost's Company, Colonel Howe's Regiment, for service in 
Rhode Island; discharged 1 November, 1780. 

TUCKER, FRANK WILLARD Winthrop 

National No. 13,624; State No. 1924; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 January, 1901 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 
21 January, 190 1. 

Great-great grandson of EZRA CLEMENT, Weare, New 
Hampshire, signed the New Hampshire Declaration of Inde- 
pendence; Private in Captain Dearborn's Company, "raised for 
Canada out of Colonel Daniel Moore's Regiment," July, 1776; 
served at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. 

Great-great-great grandson of JONATHAN CLEMENT, 
signer of the New Hampshire Declaration of Independence ; 
Sergeant in Captain Abbott's Company, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Gerrish's Regiment of Volunteers, which marched to join the 
Continental Army at Saratoga, September-October, 1777. 



IReiiister. 105 

Great-great-great grandson of STEPHEN EMERSON, 
signer of the New Hampshire Declaration of Independence ; 
served two months in New York in Colonel Nahum Baldwin's 
Regiment. 

VVATKINS, WALTER KENDALL Maiden 

National No. 4810; State No. 410: admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. K., 20 April, iSo,i ; Director Boston Chapter, 1895- 
96; Charter Member of Old Suffolk Chapter; Historian, 1S97- 1 
Honorary Member, 28 May, 1900 ; Charter Member, Maiden Chap- 
ter, 1900; Secretary, 1900- 

Great-grandson of JOHN WATKINS (1749-1832), Pom- 
fret, Vermont ; Private, Captain John House's Company, Colonel 
Baldwin's New Hampshire Regiment, 1776. 

Great-grandson of STEPHEN TUETS (1749-1832), Mai- 
den, Massachusetts, Private in Captain Benjamin Blaney's Com- 
pany, Colonel Gardiner's Regiment of Minute-men at the Lex- 
ington Alarm, 19 April, 1775. " On the day of the Battle of 
Bunker Hill he took his gun and ammunition, including seven- 
teen balls, got into his boat, rowed down Maiden River to the 
Mystic, thence to the shores of Charlestown, where the battle 
was raging, and fired away all his ammunition against the British. 
He thought he must have annoyed them considerably because 
they finally turned and fired upon him,&c, &c." — [Bunker Hill 
Aurora, June 16, 1866.] 

WELLS, JOHN MILTON Chelsea 

National No. 11,850: State No. 1709; admitted I asetts 

Society. S. A. K., 2 September, 189S; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 19 September, 189S. 

Great-great grandson of DANIEL SHELOR (1750-183-), 
Floyd County, Virginia ; served six months as Lieutenant and 
Captain in the Maryland troops ; a part of the time he served 
under Captain Cormackand Colonel Johnston ; enlisted in Ered- 
erick County, Maryland ; a Pensio 



106 ©l& Suffolk Chapter. 

WINSOR, EZRA OTIS Chelsea 

National No. 10,625; State No. 1925; admitted to the Massachusetts 
Society, S. A. R., 4 January, 1901 ; joined Old Suffolk Chapter, 21 
January, 1901. 

Great-great grandson of ZABDIEL SAMPSON (1727- 
1776), Duxbury, Massachusetts, a Minute-man; Private in Cap- 
tain John Bradford's Company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's 
Regiment, which marched on the Lexington Alarm, 19 April, 
1775, against a company of British regular troops under Captain 
Balfour, stationed at Marshfield for the protection of the Tories 
of that vicinity ; served twelve days at this time and eight 
months later; died at the Battle of Harlem, 17 September, 1776. 
He was a soldier in the French and Indian War, 1757, and was 
captured by Indians, who tied him to a tree and amused them- 
selves by throwing hatchets at him. 



WYETH, EDWARD CAZNEU Chelsea 

National No. 12,058; State No. 1733; admitted to the Massachu- 
setts Society, S. A. R., 6 January, 1S99; joined Old Suffolk Chap- 
ter, 30 January, 1899. 

Great-great grandson of EBENEZER WYETH (1752- 
), Cambridge, Massachusetts, a Minute-man, 19 April, 1775 ; 
in Captain Samuel Thatcher's Company, Colonel Gardiner's Reg- 
iment ; Private in Captain John Walton's Company, Colonel 
Samuel Thatcher's Regiment, enlisted 2 September, 1778, as a 
Guard at Cambridge ; served at Fort No. 2 ; served in October, 
1778 at Boston, under General Heath. 



Page 63 — The book " Historic Houses in Cambridge and Near-By 
Places," quoted from, is published by Ginn & Company, Boston. 



Page 68 — Year of death of Joshua Haines should be 1813, not 1830, 
as stated. 



U0O1 



FtB 23 1901 



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